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Artists of the Black Community/AZ to present exhibit at ASU Gammage


Shakur Carter artwork
April 14, 2014

A wide variety of artwork by emerging and established local African-American artists will be on display at ASU Gammage May 8-June 12. The Artists of the Black Community/AZ will present a vibrant collection of watercolor paintings, layered wood work, oil and acrylic paintings, and artwork in ceramics, glass and metal.

Six artists will be represented, including Stephen Marc, photographer and professor of art at Arizona State University; William H. Palmer, sculptor, painter and woodworker; Khandra Howard, an emerging ceramic artist working in clay, glass and metal; oil and acrylic painters Frederick Hodge and Richard Retter; and Rhonda Shakur Carter, who works in constructed wood oils and acrylics.

Marc is known for his digital photo montages that address the historical African Diaspora, with an emphasis on pre-1935 African-Americans. His research project, Passage on the Underground Railroad, is a traveling exhibition that was shown throughout the country and resulted in a book published in 2009.

Palmer, who passed away in 2011, began to find his voice in the 1950s, when he attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Cocoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. His sculpture and paintings have been exhibited both nationally and internationally.

Howard, who is educated as an electrical engineer and computer scientist, began working in clay 11 years ago. She draws inspiration from African textiles, African art and culture, everyday life, the colors of nature, sea life, insects and vegetation, as well as random shapes and patterns, and the unpredictable nature of clay.

Hodge specializes in acrylic painting, sketching, and pen and ink drawing, especially realistic and figurative portraits. He grew up in Texas, and was largely self-taught, though he later earned a bachelor of fine arts from ASU. He has exhibited at a number of local art shows and galleries.

Retter’s works are large acrylic paintings full of color and movement, which are detailed in stylized dots, reminiscent of pointillism art. Each one conveys a story about the beauty of our world. He worked with special needs populations for more than 20 years as creator and creative arts director of the “Drawn Together” art program.

Carter is a self-taught artist from Glendale, Ariz., who works in several mediums, and will exhibit pieces that are oil and acrylic paint on layered wood. She is inspired by life all around her, the good and the bad.

Exhibit hours at ASU Gammage are 1-4 p.m., Mondays, or by appointment. Due to rehearsals, event set-up, performances, special events and holidays, it is advisable to call (480) 965-6912 or (480) 965-0458 to ensure viewing hours, since they are subject to cancellation without notice.

The street address is 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe. Parking is available at meters around the perimeter of ASU Gammage. Entrance is through east lobby doors at the box office.