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C A M P U S M I R R () R
WE SHALL HAVE MUSIC
3
April Showers
ART EXHIBITION
Pinkie Gordon, ’49
Our own Atlanta University art exhibit
has the distinction of being probably the
first of its kind, it is a highly competitive
affair in which Negro artists all over the
country participate. Each year cash
awards of about $1400.00 are given away,
and up to date have amounted to $8,-
600.00. This year marks the sixth
exhibition, the first of which was started
in 1942 by our former faculty member
and painter of international fame, Hale
Woodruff. Begun as a timid experiment,
the only United States art exhibition ex
clusively for Negroes, the show has drawn
hundreds of spectators and its success is
indicated by its repeated annual show
ings.
Only original paintings, water colors,
sculptures and prints are eligible for the
exhibition. Its purposes are to present
the best creative works by living Negro
artists, to encourage Negro artists to
achieve as high a standard of work as
possible, to bring to light latent talent
that might otherwise be undiscovered, to
stimulate art education, and to increase
an appreciation of the fine arts among
people generally.
Many of the paintings show various
cross-sections of Negro life which have
a strong sociological appeal. Some who
were at the exhibit last year may recall
such paintings as “Two Alone,” “Another
Raid," “Back Way,” and “Sharecropper’s
Lot. ' The last portrayed a shattered old
house swaying under the strong winds of
an impending storm. Aside from the
beautifully subtle coloring of the house
against a stormy sky, represented by
brilliant, obliquely painted red. blue, and
green strokes, one could feel the desolate
ness of the scene. The utter helplessness
of this shabby house against the elements
was symbolic of the complete helplessness
of its occupants in a social condition of
which they were victims.
The pictures, however, represent pure
ly artistic as well as sociological phenom
ena. Landscapes, still life, portraits, fig
ures, and abstracts form a varied col
lection. Awards arc given to the best
oils, water colors, sculpture, and prints.
All prize winning pieces are retained by
the University in its endeavor to build up
a collection of its own.
It is of interest to note that one of the
features of the Time Magazine of \pril
9, 1945, was a review of tin* exhibit which
it described as “One of the South's out
standing art exhibits." For the new stu
dent' as well as the older ones, the oppor
tunity to view these works of art should
not be missed.
\nd I might 'ay in pacing that a visit
I Continued on Page 6 t
Concerts and more concerts! Spelman
really is having some rare listening op
portunities this year, and still they come!
And to make the season more exciting,
one of the top artists was guest on our
campus. Of course, you know who it
was. It was, indeed, an honor and a
pleasure to have Marian Anderson make
Spelman College her headquarters while
she was in the city. During her brief so
journ with us we found that her magnetic
smile and charming personality, which
radiate to us from the concert stage, did
not vanish when she was away from the
footlights. We attended the concert
March 18th at the City Auditorium.
Some of us had never heard Miss An
derson in person and to them this recital
was an especially thrilling experience.
We are still reminiscing over the events
of her visit and probably shall be until
the next time our friend comes to Atlanta.
Hazel Harrison's piano recital March
oOth at the St. Paul A.M.E. Church was
another exciting event. It has been some
time since Atlantans have had the pleas
ure of listening to this artist and we
gladly welcomed her back. She is now-
head of the piano department of Howard
University. Miss Harrison played a va
ried program, including the profound
Bach Chaconne, the Chopin Scherzo in
C Sharp Minor, some Liszt, and some
very delightful modern Russian composi
tions.
Another artist whose coming is being
anticipated is Edwin Gershefski, dean of
the Converse College School of Music.
Mr. Gershefski was graduated from
^ ale, received the A.B. degrees in Music
and in Philosophy, and also attended the
Tobias Matthay Pianoforte School in
England, where he attained distinction as
the first American to receive diplomas
for piano playing and teaching. He has
been heard in numerous piano recitals
throughout the country and has broadcast
over the major radio networks as guest
soloist with symphony orchestras.
As to the University Center's own tal
ent. the student body of Morehouse Col
lege is presenting Robert W illiams, tenor,
in a song recital, April 4th. Mr. Williams
is a 1945 graduate of Morehouse and a
foimer pupil of Mr. Willis Laurence
James, lie is now continuing hi- work at
the J u i I Hard School of .Music in New
't ork City.
At the beginning of this article, we
mentioned the frequency of the concerts
thi' season. We could not close this
write-up without recognizing our own
(dec Club concert slated for April 10th.
Each year Mlantans and friends of the
I niversity (.enter look forward to this
affair, which i' usuallv held around Spel-
man s Founders Day. We always enjoy
tin* glee club concert and are looking
forward to its performance this year.