Congrats to sculptor Debra Hand and ceramicist Marva Jolly, two outstanding Chicago artists, who will each receive the distinguished, first-ever Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs Achievement Award from the South Side Community Art Center on Sept. 17, 5 p
Congrats to sculptor Debra Hand and ceramicist Marva Jolly, two outstanding Chicago artists, who will each receive the distinguished, first-ever Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs Achievement Award from the South Side Community Art Center on Sept. 17, 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., during its 46th Annual Art Auction & Fundraiser. “Jewel of the South Side” will be staged at Blanc Art Gallery, 4455 S. King Dr. SSCAC established the award, says Dianne Dinkins Carr, the center’s board president, to commemorate Dr. Burroughs’ legacy and to honor artists who exemplify those qualities that made Dr. Burroughs “an inspiration to the artistic community.”
Hand, who is being recognized for Community Service and Outreach, has contributed thousands of dollars in funds and artwork to charitable and non-profit organizations. Her work of dancers, musicians and portraits are linked by a narrative of characters who show humanity. When she heard about the New Orleans flood victims, Hand immediately reached out and jumped right in to help victims by teaching creative programs. Jolly, a retired professor of ceramics who is being saluted for Education in the Arts, is heavily influenced by traditional African hand-building techniques and the values she learned from her strong family ties and Mississippi upbringing.
Since 1940, SSCAC has been teaching the visual arts and providing art education and programming to Chicago’s metropolitan area youth and seniors. Many individuals turn to SSCAC to fulfill their artistic and art education needs. SSCAC helps to fill the void resulting from the elimination of art education from the public school system and increased museum and class fees.
The yearly art auction serves as the primary fundraiser that enables SSCAC to support educational and after school art programs, artist services and to continue educating the community in the arts, Carr said. The event also gives emerging artists the opportunity to have their works viewed and purchased in auctions alongside nationally and internationally established artists. Advance tickets are priced at $60; $65 at the door. Call (773) 373-1026.
Mavis Magic – Top honors were awarded to Mavis Staples during the 18th Annual Living Blues Awards. She won the Critics’ Poll Blues Artist of the Year Award (Female) and Most Outstanding Blues Singer. And more on Mavis: The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and soul/gospel legend, and The Blind Boys of Alabama are featured in the new gospel documentary, Rejoice and Shout (released June 3). Tracing the history of gospel, the film includes archival footage of an onstage duel between The Blind Boys of Alabama and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi. Mavis is featured both in present day interviews as well as archival footage of her early performances with The Staples Singers, her family’s legendary band and choral group. Congrats, Sistah Mavis!
Hats Off – to Cheryl Marshall Washington, who has been selected to serve as general chair for AKArama 2011, the annual fund-raising activity of the AKArama Foundation and Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. on Oct. 29 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago hotel. Mardi Gras Glitz in Pink & Green, theme of the $100 per ticket soiree, promises to be an exciting evening of New Orleans-style fun which will include cocktails, fine dining, great music, a silent auction, a raffle of a 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid automobile, cash ($500, $300 and $200) raffles and non-stop entertainment. Funds raised will support scholarships, contributions to charitable and cultural organizations and community services, Washington says. Contact your favorite AKA for tickets.
On Stage – The African Resurrection & Restoration Ministries, led by Min. Nicholas Thompson, presents the musical extravaganza, “It’s All About Love,” written and directed by none other than Jackie Taylor, award-winning founder and executive director of Black Ensemble Theatre. It stars Rick Stone and the BET performers on Saturday at Christ Universal Temple, 119th and Halsted Streets; two shows only at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets at $50 are available at Chicago Baptist Institute, 51st Street and King Drive, and through Ticketmaster. Call (773) 268-2815.
Newsy Names – Happy anniversary to Desiree Glapion Rogers, who has completed her first year as chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Co. (Ebony and Jet magazines) … Chicago Rat Packers Bill Williams, Al Palmer Jr., et al, want you to join the popular professional men’s group as they honor, salute and recognize members of the National Black Police Association this Wednesday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., at their weekly gathering and business meeting at the Marmon Grand … Trumpeter Orbert Davis, artist-in-residence at the Jazz Institute of Chicago, heads the 33rd Annual Chicago Jazz Festival in Millennium and Grant Parks, Sept. 1-4, spotlighting Randy Weston, Cassandra Wilson, Saxophone Summit, Roy Hargrove, David Sanchez, Gerald Clayton Trio, Latin Inspiration, Petra’s Recession Seven, Curtis Robinson, Bob Dogan, Jim Gailloretto’s Jazz Quintet, Jeremy Kahn, Maurice Brown, Trio 3 Geri Allen, Pat Malinger and more. Free admission each night … WVON-AM/1690’s Pam Morris hosts Margaret Mahdi’s Chicago-style version of “The Wiz” on Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., at Harold Washington Cultural Center, co-starring Dorothy Kyles, Jerry Thurman, Pearl Ramsey and D-Style, and featuring the Jesse White Tumblers, Nubia Cultural Center, Chicago Style Steppers, Casper (Casper Slide) and a surprise guest as The Wiz. Tickets: $25, $20 and discounts for 10 or more. Call (312) 835-1878 …
Happy b’day to Dr. Ann E. Smith, Renee Ferguson, Bill Walls, Rev. Barbara Reynolds, Sylvester Baker, Diana Harris Hennington, Regina Taylor, Janis Robinson, Bethany Pickens, Linda Ely, Nick Colione, Willie McLaughlin, Amanda Blair, Jermikko Shoshanna, Dr. Robert Kimbrough, Linda Stanford, Sandra Jackson Opoku, Marsha Stamps White, Frank Bass, Donald Kus and Jesse Holmes.
Hats Off – to Khristian Jones, a grad of Jones Middle School in Plainfield, Ill., who attained first place status in the inaugural Emerging Young Leaders’ Rock-o-Tillion Gala hosted by Lambda Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. in Celebration of Youth Leadership and Academic Achievement. Jones, who’ll attend Illinois Math and Science Academy in the fall, was elected by her peers to serve as president of the 2011 Leadership Prep Class. Jones loves being a star track and field athlete and enjoys reading.
Gala spearheads included Leona S. Payles, president/CEO of The Gala Foundation; Casperi Richardson, fundraising chair; Janece R. Kerr and Kira McFarland-Gatewod. co-chairs; Carolyn House Stewart, AKA’s international president; and Dr. Gisele M. Casanova, central regional director. And congrats to other members of the 2011 Leadership Prep Class: Mpatanishi Matthews, Reed Anderson, Tarnarel Carter, Tamela Dismuke, Maya Dunson, Jana Fitch, Jamilah Jackson, Sesheta McNutt, Dana Rhodes, Anna Travis and Tierra Williams.
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