African-American Art Show Celebrates 25 Years

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – Symantha Outlaw will do whatever it takes to complete her art, especially when she is on a roll and in the groove.

“I have stayed up all night, until six in the morning just to get a piece I’m working on done,” said the 16 year old artist. “I just can’t sleep until I finish my art.”

It’s that level of passion that could be found among all 20 artists (including Outlaw) at the current Art Exhibit at the Howland Cultural Center: “The 25th Anniversary African-American Artists in the Hudson Valley,” honoring Black History Month. The young Outlaw is marking her eighth year in the Show, one she has shared showing her creations, along with those of fellow artist, her father, Richard Outlaw, the entire time.

“It’s a good experience to see art relating to my history,” pointed out the younger Outlaw, who has two abstracts, “Sunlight” and “Stars,” in the exhibit. “And to be able to do it with someone I love, makes it even more special.”

Her father, who is showcasing three works in this month’s Show, is one of the more veteran artists, marking his 15th year at the group venue.

“I always get a sense of community every time I come here to the Howland Cultural Center,” affirmed the older Outlaw, whose paint pieces include a Chuck Berry representation as well as slavery piece titled “Mother.” “I feel like I am a part of a great history here at Howland, and it, along with my art, are now mainstays in my life that I enjoy sharing with others.”

In addition to the Outlaw’s paintings, the long-standing, popular Show also features sculptures and photography. Saturday, at the exhibit’s Opening Reception, where a tribute was paid to one of the local, young artists, Kyra Husbands, who received a college scholarship to pursue a major in art and music by the Ray Watkins Band filled the aesthetically beautiful Howland Cultural Center, a large crowd was on hand, admiring the wide variety of art while mingling with one another as well as the artists themselves.

One of those talented, local artists was Beacon’s own Oliver Spearman, who is showcasing his art for the third year in the popular February exhibit.

“This Show is so special because we are celebrating artists of the black community from all over and sharing their art and ideas while networking,” said a smiling Spearman, a Beacon resident for the last eight years. “Most of all, it’s so nice to see so much of a diversity of people from all over and everyone getting along while making new friends.”

Eleanor Thomspon, another Beaconite, and the first African-American to serve on the Beacon City Council, also is among the artists in the Show. Featuring two pieces, Thompson has an ink as well as an ink on canvas on display; one is her grandson’s, a budding young artist whose work fills her with pride, as does the very place that is housing the artwork of 19 other artists for the milestone 25 year anniversary.

“This Howland Cultural Center has been like a sanctuary, an inspiration, to me,” recalled Thompson. “I used to come here at 4am sometimes, just to think and meditate years ago, and I truly believe it continues to be the same thing for the community still today.”

The African-American Artists in the Hudson Valley show will run through the month of February, honoring Black History Month. The Gallery hours are Friday-Monday, from 1-5pm with the exceptions of Sunday, February 17 and 24.