By Brenda Box
Art is the material evidence that reminds us of the wealth of our culture
- of who we are.
Mary Schmidt Campbell, Dean, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
Drumming Circles? Poetry Slams? Art has come to 1905 Charleston Avenue
with the opening of Link2, a gallery geared toward minority and community
artists.
The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 2pm to 7pm. It displays
and sells works by local artists, including Billy Scott, Teresa Hardesty,
Theresa Crisp and the twins, Carl and Carlos.
"Our ultimate goal is to expose the community's hidden treasures,
which we know are our God-given talents and attributes," said coordinator
Hassana Shareef. "The main thing is letting the community know about
it, as part of
community service, and just generate new ideas for the art gallery."
Billy Clemons is a jack of many trades at Link2. He's Gallery staff, a
donor, and has a painting on display.
"I'd like for people to get exposed to black artists in the neighborhood…and
young artists need to show their work
and learn that they can make a living with art."
Eva Layne is exhibiting her porcelain creations at Link2.
"There are so many artists out there…This is great - the first
black gallery in the community," said Layne, a math teacher at Enslow
Middle School. "Once word gets out it will draw not only minorities,
but the majority, who will see we do have talent and can do some things."
Shareef says donations and sweat equity got the gallery going.
"Larry Mayne of Mayne Framing gave us a donation, among others,"
says Shareef. "For our opening a number of entertainers came to the
gallery, including Billy Boyd, Ronald Wilkerson led a poetry reading and
drumming circle...Osagie Ayanru gave a poetry reading."
Shareef and the artists have big plans for Link2.
"We want to form an association where there is dues…we'd meet
on Saturdays at 6 or 7pm and have weekly focus group discussions on Art
and the community."
"We want to invite high school students to donate community service
time and volunteer here, we'd like to be able to give kids art workshops
and we want to invite a Master Drummer here to lead students in a drumming
circle."
Shareef says
Link2 plans to open a new show every quarter and is now making plans for
a Christmas show/auction.
