In This Issue…
- Editor’s Perspective: Straight Ahead Jazz Ministry
- Contemporary Artists: Elnora Wilson –
Crafting Functional Art with Flair - MARK YOUR CALENDAR
– “Black History Month Exhibition Celebrating Life” – Paintings by Jenne Glover and Elnora
Wilson – 2/4/09 to 3/31/09 – Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Center, Landover, Maryland - MARK YOUR CALENDAR
– “Learned in Science, Explored in Art” — An Exhibit of 35 Medical Paintings by renowned artist, scientist and philosopher, Dr. Wolfgang Ritschel – January 16 to April 3, 2009 – Howard University – Louis Stokes
Health Sciences Library
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Editor’s Perspective: Straight Ahead Jazz Ministry
Although Voicing Art is devoted to the visual arts, I felt compelled to share this DC gem with those who love straight ahead jazz.
This year the Westminster Presbyterian Church is celebrating their tenth year of Jazz Ministry. If you live in the DC Metropolitan Area,
treat yourself to a uplifting evening filled with great music, an appreciative audience, and affordable home cooked food.
Performances are from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00.
The current line up:
February 13, 2009 | Introducing Jeff Antoniuk
– Jeff Antoniuk, sax – Wade Beach, piano – Tom Baldwin, bass – Tony Martucci, drums – Special Tribute to Johnny Hartman, Mark Green |
February 20, 2009 | An Art Blakely Experience
– Keith Killgo, drums – Antonio Parker, sax – Kenny Rittenhouse, trumpet – Jon Ozment, piano – Dupor Georges, trombone – Ramier Mendez, bass |
February 27, 2009 | A Black History Celebration
– Maurice Lyles, drums – Wade Beach, piano – Paul Carr, sax – Michael Hairston, tenor sax – Michael Thomas, trumpet – Steve Novosel, bass – Queen Aisha, vocals |
February 28, 2009 | Thinking About Jazz
– Female Jazz Vocalists – Special Guest: Esther Williams |
March 6, 2009 | The Legendary Butch Warren
– Butch Warren – Peter Edelman – Eric Allen, drums – Knud Jensen, sax – Olivier Brown, trumpet – Bill Lavender, bass |
March 6, 2009 | The Legendary Butch Warren
– Butch Warren – Peter Edelman – Eric Allen, drums – Knud Jensen, sax – Olivier Brown, trumpet – Bill Lavender, bass |
March 13, 2009 | Return to ABARTS
– George Botts, sax – Wade Beach, piano – David Jernigan, bass – Bertell Knox, drums |
March 20, 2009 | Rare Vibe of Lionel Hampton
– Chuck Redd, vibes – Robert Redd, piano – Lenny Robinson, drums – Tommy Cecil, bass |
March 27, 2009-02-09 | Ambassadors of Jazz |
Hope to see you there!
Contemporary Artist: Elnora Wilson – Crafting Functional Art with Flair
Structuring, Restructuring…
Recycling Artistic Solutions!
Elnora Wilson’s been creating things all of her life. The youngest of seven and petite in size, she’s always been restructuring her clothing. A preacher’s child, raised primarily by her mother, her life began in Darlington, South Carolina where her parents made a living from their working farm. When Elnora was 10 years old, she and her family moved to Prince George’s County where love was plentiful, money tight, and getting an education a requirement. Elnora always wanted to be an interior decorator, but was unable to go away to study. So instead, she focused her love of design, color, and textile by majoring in art education at Bowie State University where she earned a BA in Arts Education. Down the road, Elnora also earned a graduate degree in school administration from Trinity College (DC).
Elnora credits her home economics teachers at Fairmont Heights High School for instilling the desire for precision and craftsmanship in her creations and their willingness to exchange tailoring techniques with her. Her mother empowered her by purchasing a second hand sewing machine for her when she was twelve. Elnora’s artistry has always been evolving, her fine art painting techniques emerged as an undergrad under the direction of Semmi Knox, a celebrated portrait artist who painted the official portrait of President Bill Clinton. Professor Knox demanded his students work large surfaces, be professional and self-sufficient.
Elnora devoted 30 years to the Prince George’s County School System, first as a middle school art teacher and later as an administrator. Now semi-retired, she’s spending quality time creating her “Just One” and “Redesign” lines of functional art that features jackets, shawls, vests, and purses. Whether she’s structuring something new or renewing something old, her well-crafted creations are a unique blend of the unusual, yet have a flair that’s distinctively classic.
Recently, I took my all time favorite well worn black wool jacket to Elnora to see if she could resuscitate it. The jacket was in pitiful shape, the cuffs of the sleeves and lapel were frayed, one elbow was poorly darned, and the lining was torn and tattered. Although trashing it would have been a solution, I wouldn’t discard it because I loved its style, the fit, and the buttons; but the jacket was too tacky to wear in public. Elnora and I collaborated about how to resurrect the jacket. I told her generally what I didn’t want and she proposed some options. I liked her idea to add black lace and left the rest of the embellishment to her judgment. In a matter of two weeks, Elnora returned with an impeccable, asymmetrical recreation. Black lace embellishes the cuffs and sleeves, the lapel is refreshed with stitchery, a slight draping laced cape highlights the shoulders, and the lining is new. It is comforting to know that my all time favorite well worn black wool jacket is once again wearable and nicer than it was originally.
Elnora’s immediate goal is to continue building her client base. She advices young artists to find something that you like doing, even for free, and then find a way to get paid for it.
If you want something one of a kind, or have that favorite thing that needs to be revived, give Elnora a call at 301-925-2468.
Mark Your Calendar:
Black History Month Exhibition
Celebrating Life — featuring art
works by Jenne Glover and Elnora Wilson February 4 to March
31, 2009
Reception: February 17, 2009, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Center
8001 Sheriff Road
Landover, MD 20785
Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
301-583-2430 / TTY 301-583-2483 / www.pgsportsandlearn.com
“Learned in Science, Explored in Art”
— An Exhibit of 35 Medical Paintings by renowned artist, scientist
and philosopher, Dr. Wolfgang Ritschel
January 16 to April 3, 2009
Gallery Talk with the Artist — March 12, 2009 — 3:00 to
4:00 p.m.
Howard University
Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library
501 W Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20059
For more info call Marlene Mahoney at 202-884-1727; or