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Shawn Etheridge
A native of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Shawn has been creating art since childhood. A graduate of North Carolina Central University, he majored in Public Administration while minoring in Visual Art. His work has been displayed in numerous establishments spanning the east coast with his base being in the Raleigh-Durham area in addition to works in permanent collections. Prominent owners of his work include public figures Erykah Badu and Dr. Cornel West. Shawn's current, ongoing project is a series of paintings celebrating the country's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Read Shawn Etheridge's full biography
Artist Statement
The purpose of this project is to shine a much needed light on the 11 North Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and to celebrate a few of the products of these invaluable institutions. For over a hundred years these schools have contributed significantly to all classes and the nation’s economy. They have released into the world everything from artists to scientists, from world class athletes, to politicians, to generals. This project actually began as a nod to my alma mater, North Carolina Central University, and a show of respect for the accomplishments of Dr. LeRoy T. Walker. Midway through the completion of this piece, my wife gave me the idea of doing a series. The more I thought about it, I began to see it as a way to do that BIG project I had always wanted to do. Read Shawn Etheridge's full statement
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NC A&T University | Ronald McNair
Ronald Ervin McNair, Ph.D. was a physicist and NASA astronaut. McNair died in 1986 during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-L. In 1971 he received a bachelor's degree in engineering physics, magna cum laude, from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. Before his fateful last space shuttle mission, he had worked with the composer Jean Michel Jarre on a piece of music for Jarre's then-upcoming album Rendez-Vous. It was intended that he would record his saxophone solo on board the Challenger, which would have made McNair's solo the first original piece of music to have been recorded in space.
Shaw University | Angie Brooks Randolph
Angie Brooks Randolph was a Liberian diplomat and jurist. She is notable for being the First African female President of the United Nations General Assembly. She was also the second female from any nation to head the U.N. General Assembly. In 1954 she became Liberia’s representative to the United Nations, where much of her work involved the transformation of former colonial states into independent countries. In 1969, she was chosen as the President of the General Assembly and took office in 1970. She also served as Assistant Secretary of State of Liberia and a Supreme Court Justice.
North Carolina Central University | Dr. Leroy T. Walker
Dr. Walker was the first black president of the United States Olympic Committee. In the 1996 Olympics, Dr. Walker was delegated to lead a 10,000-member group of the most talented athletes in the world.
Andy McKenzie
Roderick A. McKenzie III (Andy) has over 20 years working in clay. He has dedicated his life and his work to creating and educating others in all aspects of the ceramics arts.
Artist Statement
I strive to make connections for all of my students to the world that surrounds them. If you look closely at a leaf growing out of branch you will find that it is the exact same angle that allows a mug handle to comfortably sit in the hand, it is also the beginning of the curve of a catenary arch, the curve responsible for roman aqueducts that still stand today. Pissarro was just one of many artists to make a mathematical study of color, and his theories are a primary guide to how our monitor and phone screens work. It is always a joy when you watch a student realize that there is a connection between what is happening in his science and math classes that can be applied to a real-world situation in the arts. Read Andy McKenzie's full statement
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dian sourelis
dian is a lifelong resident of Chicago, currently living in rural North Carolina. She is the daughter of abstract painter Stanley Sourelis, one of the original members of Chicago’s Wells Street Gallery group in the 1950’s. dian grew up around painters, poets and musicians and loved making constructions out of what she found while playing and riding her bike in her Hyde Park neighborhood. This, along with the encouragement of her artistic family, laid the groundwork for future experimentation and a life of making art. Read dian sourelis' full biography
Artist Statement
for as long as I can remember, I have found beauty, depth and balance in what others cast off. A tiny scrap of rusted metal, a worn square of cloth or leather, discarded family photos, old nails…….
it is a peaceful practice. I gather up these odd, but beautiful, objects and materials and combine them to tell stories, to evoke emotion. My work is quiet, yet strong, like the everyday people in the images and the sturdy, repurposed materials themselves. Read dian sourelis' full statement
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Wound Whisper Her Name
Repent Untold
Repent Tags Acknowledgement
