Upcoming Events:
Please watch this 30 minute documentary! It gives an excellent overview of the artistic roots of African-Americans in Chicago. It also shows the work of many of today's artists. We are proud to say that a sculpture-on-canvas by artist Debra Hand is included with the great works of these artistic masters. Press release follows:
Curators of Culture
Chicago's South Side Community Art Center
AIR DATE: April 15th, 2005
7 p.m.
WISETV WYCC-TV20
WYCC-TV20 will present Curators of Culture,
a half hour documentary that chronicles the birth and life of the historic South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC). The SSCAC is among the few remaining, of the original 110, art centers established nationwide between 1937 and 1943 as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Work Projects Administration's Federal Arts Project(WPA). This Emmy-award winning documentary was produced by the brilliant, award-winning producer, Rita Coburn Whack and represents WYCC-TV's commitment to provide enriched locally-produced programming.
About Curators of Culture
The SSCAC was dedicated by the then-First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, on May 7, 1941. The SSCAC has continuously operated in its initial location at 3831 S. Michigan. This landmark mansion was converted from a single family home and is one of the few remaining examples of the internationally recognized New Bahuaus movement in architecture. The documentary covers an era when art created by African-American gained recognition and prominence worldwide.
Curators of Culture emphasizes the: birth of art in the community, early years, struggle of the artists, impact of later years and the current status of the SSCAC and its ability to survive.
The works of Margaret Burroughs, George Neal, Eldzier Cortor, William Carter, Allen Stringfellow, William Edouard Scott, Bernard Goss, and many other artists are presented and discussed. Original works from noted local collectors and the collections of the SSCAC and Susan Woodson Galleries are showcased. Original works in oil, collage, watercolor, batik, lithograph, sculpture, and poster art from the Africobra movement are just some of the mediums that will be featured.
Archival interviews from The HistoryMakers, (artist Allen Stringfellow) the Chicago Public Library (photographer, film director and author Gordon Parks) are combined with contemporary reflections of gallerist Susan Cayton Woodson, artist Margaret Burroughs, artist and dancer Rosalie Davis, SSCAC advisory board member Charles Davis, artist Sylvester Britton, graphic artist Leroy Winbush, artist and art historian Anna Tyler, art historian and advisory board member Daniel Schulman, and current board president Diane Carr.
Research materials from the Vivian Harsh Collection of the Carter Woodson Regional Library, DuSable Museum, Library of Congress, and the Prelinger Archive film collection are combined with music of the era for this project. Support for this documentary has been provided by WYCC-TV20, the Illinois Arts Council and the Litchman Foundation.