Artist's Statement

My participation in art began in 1959 while stationed at Kadena Air Force base in Okinawa. I purchased an ivory slide rule and decided that I wanted to make a fancy leather case for it. There happened to be a modem hobby shop on the base. I learned the art of leather craft in this facility. The Assistant Director, James Offert, was a Master Artist/Craftsman who had developed many innovations-trade secrets.., that he finally shared with me. In addition, I learned the fiundamentals of photography. For many years I designed and crafted pictures in the above formats. In 1987, I converted the above media experience into the depiction of African-American history and culture in the medium of stained glass, in the traditions of Lawrence, Bearden, Johnson, and Green, four famous African American folk artists.

While working as an Institutional Teacher at the Highland Training School for Children, Highland, NY, I began to utilize the arts and crafts in conjunction with my academic classroom work to motivate and establish rapport with my students. One of the crafts I taught them was how to use yarn, burlap, and a needle to make beautiful creations designed to hang on a wall like a painting. Because this process was slow and tedious I only made a few pictures using this method. Subsequently, I procured a teaching position at the Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY and during one of our winter recesses I was walking the Fishkill Mall, Fishkill, NY, just south of the college, and happened upon a shop in the mall that made and sold the rug tufting technology. I was fascinated by rug tufting and immediately purchased the required equipment and to date have made some two dozen works of art in this medium. Nevertheless, when I accidentally got involved in the making of pictures in stained glass, I put rug tufting on hold. However, I was wise enough to carefully store my tools away in case I might need them again. This has proven to be the case. Rug tufting renewal... In 1988 I shifted from this medium to stained glass. Since relocating to Spartanburg, SC, the textile capital of the country, I have acquired a new interest in my rug tufting. At all future exhibits, I will be displaying both stained glass and rug tufting."

ART CREDITS

1993... First prize award (Carnival) at the Mount St. Mary College Annual "Artist On Campus Exhibition, 6/93. First Prize Award (Gospel) at the "Art in the Park Art Exhibition, Middletown, NY, 7/93.

1995... Spring Fling Spartanburg, SC, Honorable Mention Ribbon: "Dizzy 4/95. Spring Fling Spartanburg, SC, Spartanburg County Fair, 10/95. Piedmont County Fair, Second Place Fine Arts: "James Brown.-It's A Man's World .

1996 Spartanburg Center - One Man Show - 2/1/96 to 3/10/96. Evening of Jazz featuring the Tony Bennett Band and Musical Creations in Stained Glass displayed at the affair at the University of SC, Spartanburg. · Diaspora Art Gallery, Atlanta, GA; Black Arts Festival 1996. · "Praising the Bridges That Carried Us Over, Savannah, GA July 1996. · Blue Spiral Art Gallery: Images of Faith, Asheville, NC. December 1996. · Diaspora Arts, Atlanta GA

1997· South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts - Upstate Summer Gala -1997. SpartanburglGreenville Airport - "Silent Art Auction 1997. · Coca-Cola River Place Arts Festival: Exhibitors Showcase, Juried Art Show, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Greenville, SC. Entry: "Gullah Festival . Ii' · 24 Annual Spring Fling, Spartanburg, SC. A Gala Evening with Jonathan Green, Silent Auction to benefit Penn Center School, St Helena Island, SC. April 1997. · Upstate Visual Arts "Art in the Park Festival, September 27-28, 1997, Cleveland Park, Greenville, SC. Certificate of Merit Award - "Chubby Checker Twist Again · Tryon Painters and Sculptures Gallery, Tryon, NC. September 1997. · Red Piano Too Art Gallery, St Helena Island, SC. November 1997. · Spartanburg County Museum of Art- Art Guild Gallery, Spartanburg, SC. February 1998. · Hammond House Museum, Atlanta, GA July 1998. Designed a Tee Shirt for Auction at their I 0k year gala. · South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts, July 1998. Arts Extended Gallery, 40 Anniversary Gala Celebration, Jessie Pye Annual Exhibition, Detroit, Mi "Sistahs Doing It , July 1998. · Featured in Hart- A Tome for the arts. Published by the Newburgh, NY Center for the Arts. Featured pieces: "Jam Session and "Old Pork Pie Hat- Lester Young . · MOJO Festival, Charleston, SC. Solo Exhibition, Dock Street Theater, September 25- October 31, 1998. · McKissick Museum, Annual Folk Art Festival, Columbia, SC. October 10, 1998. Exhibited rug tufting and stained glass designs. · Young Men's Institution (YIvfl), Asheville, NC. October 1998 to present. JAZZBREVARD BREVARD NC ART EXHIBITION 8/14/99 HISTORIC COLUMBIA FOUNDATION, JUBILEE FESTIVAL OF HERITAGE EXODUS EXHIBITIONCultural EXCHANGE OF GREENVILLE, 8/28/99 ART IN THE PARK UPSTATE VISUAL ARTS, CLEVELAND PARK, GREENVILLE, SC 9/18-19/99 BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM, DETROIT MI, EXHIBITION JAN 29-APRIL 23, 2000