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Recent Acquisitions Releases Press Release Archive ) Young members of the Tyler/East Texas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. present a program on "The Little Rock Nine" during the Tyler Museum of Art Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 11, 2008.
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Youth, Music, Art Unite for TMA’s Black History Month Celebration Feb. 15  Emma Gatewood (far right) performs a solo with the Greater St. Mary's Baptist Church Choir under the direction of Dorothy Boyd during the Tyler Museum of Art Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 11, 2008. TYLER, TX—A day of rejoicing and reflection is in store as the Tyler Museum of Art invites the community for its eighth annual Black History Month Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. A historical presentation by the Tyler/East Texas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and a performance by the Greater St. Mary’s Baptist Church Choir are among the festivities on tap for the afternoon of family entertainment, open to the public at no cost. Although admission is free, visitors are encouraged to make reservations by calling (903) 595-1001. The Jack and Jill program is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in the Jean Browne Theatre at Tyler Junior College, located directly across from the Museum at South Mahon Avenue off East Fifth Street. “Transcending the Status Quo” is the theme, featuring children and young adults, ages 2-17, in an oral interpretation of excerpts from the inaugural address of President Barack Obama. Also, several Jack and Jill members who attended the inauguration on Jan. 20 will share their personal recollections of the historic event, accompanied by a multimedia presentation of images from the inaugural festivities. The approximately one-hour program will close with a vocal performance to reflect the theme of “making a change,” Jack and Jill program chair Pam Suell said.Jack and Jill of America, an organization promoting educational opportunities, leadership and community service for African American children, marks its third consecutive year as part of the TMA’s Black History Month Celebration. “We hope the public will accept our invitation to come out and get a better idea of what we’re all about,” Ms. Suell said. “An event such as this, in which the entire community can take part, is also an excellent opportunity for prospective mothers who might be interested in joining Jack and Jill, and we’re honored that the Museum once again has asked us to be a part of this celebration.”Immediately following the Jack and Jill presentation, the audience is invited across the street to the TMA at 1300 S. Mahon Ave. for a performance of “songs of hope and freedom” by the Greater St. Mary’s Baptist Church Choir. Under the direction of Dorothy Boyd, the choir joins the TMA celebration for the eighth consecutive year. “Out of the reservoir of Negro spirituals were born the ‘freedom songs’ of the nonviolent movement of the South, at the peak of the demonstrations for social justice and human dignity,” Ms. Boyd said. “These songs of the soul, and of the soil, have enriched American music and the music of the world. They are the music of a captive people who used this artful expression to embrace the virtues of patience, love, freedom and hope—and we hope our music program helps express these ideas in a way that is meaningful and immediate to everyone joining in the celebration.”The day’s highlights also will include a special exhibition of The 7th Year Harvest by acclaimed contemporary African American artist—and native East Texan—Franklin Willis (see image below), the subject of the 2008 Black History Month spotlight exhibition organized by the TMA, Influence of the Sabine: The Artistic Journey of Franklin Demetrius Willis.  Franklin Demetrius Willis (American, b. 1963). The 7th Year Harvest, 2007. Oil on canvas (triptych), 50 ¾ x 119 3/8." Tyler Museum of Art, purchased with funds donated by Dr. Harold and Eleanor Cameron, Venona and Thomas Clyde, Amy and Vernon Faulconer, Bette King, Sheryl Rogers Palmer, Myrtis D. Smith, and Dr. Frank and Agnes Ward. “The Museum has been working to acquire this modern masterpiece ever since it was included in Franklin’s exhibition last year,” TMA Director Kimberley Bush Tomio said. “We’re tremendously proud that we’re able to present this extraordinary work to the public, for the first time since adding it our Permanent Collection with the help of several generous donors, as part of the Black History Month Celebration.”Also in the spotlight for the Feb. 15 event is the current TMA exhibition The Elegant House: Paintings & Decorative Art from the Graham Williford Collection. Included among the more than 60 works in the exhibition is the landmark 1930s bronze Alligator by Richmond Barthé, one of the most celebrated African American sculptors of the 20th century. The run of The Elegant House has been extended through March 1. The Tyler Museum of Art, accredited by the American Association of Museums, is located at 1300 S. Mahon Ave., adjacent to the Tyler Junior College campus off East Fifth Street. Regular hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Lunch is available in the Museum Café from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and the TMA Gift Shop is open during exhibition hours. For more information, call (903) 595-1001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org. |