Juneteenth: Images Triumphant art exhibition features the work of West Orange Arts Council members Dwight Carter (photography), Anthony Gartmond (drawings), Glendora Simonson (quilts) and Gabrielle Smith (quilts).
A Juneteenth reception will take place on Saturday, June 18 from Noon-4pm, featuring music produced by Gregory Burrus Productions with performances by Lynette Sheard Live. WOAC gallery hours are Saturdays from 11am-4pm and by appointment. The reception is supported by The Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
The WOAC Gift Shoppe is also open for safe, socially distanced, crowd-free shopping during gallery hours and by appointment and will offer exhibit-related items, jewelry, pottery, soaps, and other beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces.
Dwight Carter is an advertising portrait photographer whose subjects include the likes of Leontine Price, Oprah Winfrey, Connie Chung, Alice Walker and General Creighton Abrams, Commanding General of South Vietnam. His 20+ year portfolio spans the globe documenting the Dance Theater of Harlem’s historic opening in Cairo, Egypt, the 10th Anniversary of independence in Zimbabwe, and the growth and expansion of Essence Magazine and Chemical Bank. His career began in great company, as an assistant to Richard Avedon, Hiro, Bert Stern and Helmut Newton. Dwight received his training from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.
Anthony Gartmond creates awe-inspiring images using graphite pencils focusing primarily on the human form, although still life is also a part of his repertoire. Often mistaken for paintings, Anthony’s drawings are frequently noted for their extreme richness. Anthony began drawing at a very early age. Even though Anthony’s elder relatives recognized his extreme talent as an artist, he received greater encouragement to pursue a line of work other than art. As a result, he pursued a legal career. Despite devoting himself to a legal career lasting thirty years, Anthony nevertheless maintained a vision of returning to art following retirement and has had the great fortune of bringing that vision to fruition.
Glendora Simonson’s exploration of color progression as it relates to fabric manipulation and quilt design not only embraces traditional feminine textile crafts, but also seeks opportunities to become in vital female energy. She is equally inspired by an African-American ancestry that informs her work, impacts her artistic sensibilities, and indulges a desire to create exciting contemporary works which, nonetheless, employ traditional skills. Ms. Simonson is a co-founder of the Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild and Nubian Sisters and Company.
For Gabrielle M. Smith, quilting is a continual learning and exploring experience. “I love pondering themes, choosing fabric colors and investigating textures. I love the excitement of finishing a piece. Fabric art can be created in all different shapes and sizes, from pincushions to wall hangings to lap quilts. Each creation is a thrilling event.”
The Juneteenth: Images Triumphant art exhibit is presented to the community in partnership with the West Orange Juneteenth “Freedom Day” Committee, of which WOAC is represented by board member Joyce Harley and WOAC Town Council Liaison Susan McCartney.
The West Orange Arts Council’s mission is to cultivate, inspire, and support the arts in West Orange. Area artists and community leaders remain the core of this all-volunteer organization that operates the West Orange Arts Center gallery and gift shoppe at 551 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ. For more info visit www.facebook.com/woac.org
This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.