Mermaid/Merwomen in Black Floklore

Greetings All,

This morning I got an email that my piece "Going to meet a man" (below) was accepted into the exhibit of "Mermaid and Merwomen in Black Folklore" February 20–March 31, 2009, at the Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture at the College of Charleston. What an honor.

The exhibit is about enslaved Africans along the coast of South Carolina bringing some of the first tales of mermaids and mermen to America. Many of these folktales were stories of African ocean and river goddesses. Because of the rich oral traditions of these peoples, few if any of these stories were written until they were recorded by collectors of folk tales toward the end of the 19th century.

This year has started out with such wonderful art filled time thus far. At the end of January I went to an exhibit of faulty members of the school of the Art Institute of Chicago and met a wonderful artist name Douglas R. Ewart. Fabulous visual and musical artist. Then off to the Mexican Fine Arts museum to a feast for the eyes, spirit, and the soul. I met artist Mary Qian and Marianna Buchwald, artist, teacher, interpreter, translator, director, guide for international and city tours.

Sapphire and Crystals exhibition "BEyONd Race and Gender" open at the Noyes Cultural Art Center in Evanston, IL Participating artists are Rose Blouin, Dorothy Carter, Arlene Turner Crawford, Makeba Kedem DuBose, Juarez Hawkins, Candace Hunter, Renee Williams Jefferson, Marva Pitchford Jolly, Nicole Malcolm, Joyce Owens, Frances Callaway Parks, Felicia Grant Preston, Joanne Scott, Janet Sheard, Patricia Stewart, Shirley J.Sullivan, Dorian Sylvain, Pearlie Taylor, Anna M.Tyler, Shahar Caren Weaver, Rhonda Wheatley and Shyvette Williams. This is a must see if you are in the area. Closing March 12, 2009. (above left Rhonda Wheatley, center Makeba Kedem Dubose, and right Felicia grant Preston). Sapphire and Crystals exhibition on two floors of the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. This is a group of professional African American women artists who have exhibited their work together over a period of 22 years. This exhibition was curated by artist Joyce Owens.

Feb 5th I attended the opening of Congo/Women at Columbia College. "The exhibit highlights the plight of women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whom organizers point out have survived "a litany of atrocities," including oppressive dictatorships, political violence and economic crises. The women and girls have also been denied adequate health care and are often victims of "extreme sexual violence," organizers said. This exhibit will close on Feb 14th here in Chicago, but it will be traveling around the country. Do check out their website for more information. The photo above is by Lynsey Addario. Powerful exhibit. Some of the photos are life-size.

Feb 6th on a lighter note I attended the opening of Gregory Coates: Permission. The show runs February 6 - Apr 3, 2009 at the G.R. N'Namdi gallery. The piece above is called "Juan" and it's constructed of feather and acrylic on wood. The 7th of Feburay was spent having a "Play-Date" with some of my favorite people, Judy Coates Perez, Ericka Graff, Pat Grice, and Alice. we get together to share/explore our art, life and food. I am always learning from these women and I'm grateful that they are.

Come Sunday all I can say is WOW! The afternoon/evening was spent at the "Ascension Loft" of El Kahil Zabar of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. The ensemble included Ernest Dawkins, Corey Wilkes and Kahil. Great music, food, and people. Again WOW! This week will be a little bit more on the quite side. Two of my grandchildren are or have celebrated birthdays. Sunday was my grandson Patrick Boyd-Keen and today is Mahogany Boyd-Keen. Nana loves/miss you and she hope/prays that you had/have a great day. Last year we were together and I hope/pray that the next year we will be together again.