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DEL.ICIO.USAfrican art a treat for kids
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gail Crecelius served as tour guide for kids on a field trip to see a remarkable exhibit at the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts. She sounded just like a grade school teacher when she talked to them, especially when she gave them the “museum rules” - no touching the art and so on.
Turns out Crecelius is studying to become a teacher at the University of Georgia. She’s interning this summer at the museum. One of her duties is to give tours of “Gifts from Africa: Bronzes, Art and Artifacts.”
The exhibit - part of a collection owned by Susan and William Rochfort - features fine bronze castings, masked headdresses and other objects from the Republic of Benin, near Nigeria. It’s a sight to behold.
The Badie Tour stopped by Wednesday to observe as kids from the Early Literacy Academy in Lawrenceville had a look-see. Initially, they were quiet. But as they wound their way through the 230-piece display, they piped up, became more talkative, inquisitive, engaged.
At one point, Crecelius had to ask them to pipe down because all the kids were talking at once. “Shhh,” she said. “We have to take turns.”
The collection is on loan at no charge with the stipulation that students on organized academic trips aren’t charged admission. So this fall, public and private school field trips will be able to see the exhibit for free.
That’s right. Free.
“That doesn’t happen very often these days with school field trips,” said Teresa Osborn, interim executive director of the Gwinnett Council for the Arts. “Its been exciting to have an exhibit that represents a continent, and that exposes us to a completely different type of art, as opposed to Western art. This exhibit lends itself to repeat visits. You can come just to see the masks or the animals. This is a very dense exhibit.”
And atypical.
Most exhibits at the arts center are comprised of pieces that hang on the wall. This particular display has artwork on the wall, free-standing, everywhere. Placement of some artifacts reflects the region’s practices and culture. Take the queen’s chamber and the king’s chamber. Animals guard the king’s chamber, with a crocodile strategically placed near the throne.
“It was predetermined where some things had to go,” Osborn told me. “Many exhibits tell stories, but this one had to be grouped so things made sense - masks grouped together. Jewelry grouped together.”
Speaking of masks, they were Kaelen Casseus’ favorite objects of the entire collection. “I liked the masks the best because there was a lot of different stuff on them,” the 8-year-old told me.
After the Crecelius-led tour, the kids got to make their own masks. They decorated them with beads, feathers and yarn. The exhibit is playing a role in all aspects of the center’s children’s program. A camp called “African Safari” will be held at the Duluth complex next week.
“We’ve incorporated it in all the elements we have at the center,” Osborn said. “It has that kind of value.”
“Gifts From Africa: Bronzes, Art and Artifacts,” runs through Dec. 31 at the Hudgens Center for the Arts, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, building No. 300, Duluth. Details: 770-623-6002; online at www.artsgwinnett.org.
Rick Badie’s columns appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie
Comments
By Steve
July 17, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
This is kind of boring.
By Jais
July 17, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Yet another racist Badie article. It’s us against them, people.
By LT5000
July 17, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Hey Badie,
How about the Rev. Jackson’s most poetry recital. Was that art? He even used the N word.
Why is a Obama shirt with a monkey on it fodder for an insipid article, but the Rev Jackson’s use of a racist slur isn’t?
Badie, please stop trying to pretend to be a real journalist.
LT5000
By Michael
July 17, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
All blacks use the “n - word”. Maybe not out loud even; but they do. It is not a polite word though, profane in use, and needs to go away.
By Katie
July 18, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
Jesse Jackson is NOT a role model for African Americans. He perpetuates hate. He is a loser.
By Average White Banned
July 18, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I don’t see a problem with writing a “blog” or “article” about kids going to a museum, but where’s the ‘hot topic’ about His Grace, King Jesse Jackson throwing around offensive words?
What’s that? Can’t muster it up?
If another Imus slip-of-the-tongue occurred, this page would fill up with comments from Badie.
Now that it’s King Jesse Jackson having a “mispoken moment”, the silence is deafening.
At least some people here will ackowledge it happened!
All hail the double standard.
By Michael H. Smith
July 18, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Perhaps I’m just having a difficult day. So I’ll defer comment on the contents of Jesse Jackson just long enough to mention that without “these blacks” that appear to be continually demeaned on these blogs as though they really don’t belong here, who are Americans, U.S. Citizens by the way, this country would not be America.
Please accept my pitiful apology for having disrupted the ongoing discussion about double standards.
By Badie
July 18, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Hello readers. FYI: Please read Sunday’s column. It will deal with Jesse Jackson’s “off-mike” comments on “Fox and Friends.” PEACE.
By Bruce Wilcox
July 18, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Besides Rick, how many of the usual bigots spent time being Black? Being that you all seem to be experts on the subject you must have spent at least sometime being Black, a few years, months, decades, come on how many? Maybe one of your parents was or grand parents were Black, at least it would give you all some idea of how it is, is the the case of a few?
Some of you make me laugh, it wsn’t all that long ago when a Black would be hung for looking at a White woman, yeah people, tell me how it is.
Jesse Jackson did a lot for the Civil Rights movement, he was with Dr. King when he was murdered by a backwards White boy. He helped get United States citizens held as hostages released from a foreign land. He was brave enough to dare run for President, first time for a Black.
I don’t know what has happened to him the last decade or so, maybe age, but when anyone of you could can say you accomplished half of what Jesse Jackson has, then and only then can you be taken seriously.
Go back to hiding behind your screens, the sermon has ended.
By Deborah Lee
July 18, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Back to African Art. If it is anything like the African Art that they have at the Atlanta Airport it would be worth seeing. It was the only peaceful place at the airport. Everybody is now going to Africa and it is the place to talk about at parties. It is about time that Americans got to learn about the culture of the countries where 15% of its citizen’s relatives come from. I recently learned that the banjo is from Africa. Banjo is like the main part of bluegrass music. Where are the African American banjo players? They probably could not have intruments for hundreds of years and so it was not passed down to the next generation. It would be really nice to see the younger generation learn about the old country culture and try to bring back their customs and art. I would love to learn to weave the baskets that I saw on an island near Georgia that the Africans brought over here with them. Made in America, African baskets. I would definately buy one of them. I will use the s word here. They people that responded to this blog about race are really scary. African Americans have been here longer than anyone else. At least 500 years. They just need to start acting like it.
By LT5000
July 18, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Brucie,
Jesse “Hymie-town” Jackson has done nothing for the Civil Rights movement. Poverty Pimp describes him best.
He calls himself a Reverend then father’s a Love Child, and uses Rainbow Coalition money to put the “baby mama” on the payroll.
He is no more a Reverend than Bruce is a genius.
LT5000
By Average White Banned
July 18, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Hi Rick, thanks for responding. That’s cool. I’ll check it out this weekend. Maybe I was a little bit harsh..sorry!
As for BRUCE, unfortunately your comments are relevant to everybody.
My friends are my friends, whether black, blue, or white. There are good and bad in every culture and race, whether the USA or other countries I’ve been to.
Unfortunately, when I was in high school (1989-2002) there was a lot of racial violence. Yes, there were rednecks, but EVERY race was responsible for creating problems.
I witnessed a 20 black guys beating one or two white gusy. Also, fairly regularly had black guys in my school * who I didn’t even talk to* regularly threaten to cut or kill me and others just because I’m white.
We used to have to ride the bus to vocational school while constantly on guard because the guys up front, all black, used to randomly throw a coat over a guy’s head and beat him over the head.
How do you like them apples?
I only say this to put things back in perspective.
One of the best things I ever did was meet/dance with “morena” (black latina) girls in the Dom. Republic. Awesome! But that’s a whole ‘nother story. :)
By Average, White, Banned
July 18, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
That should read: “As for BRUCE, unfortunately your comments are NOT relevant to everybody.”, as anybody would easily know. Ha, ha.
By Badie
July 18, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
AWB: You’re welcome.
By Kathleen
July 19, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
The exhibit sounds interesting and I think I’ll take my son before the summer is over.
But, considering the heated race for County Commission Chair and the upcoming runoff I would think this topic could have waited a few weeks.
By Michael H. Smith
July 19, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Speaking of waiting… the AJC promised return of the Gwinnett Political Insider seems a bit overdue. Considering the announced inevitable shift from print media to multimedia news coverage via the Internet some heat on the AJC management - obviously frozen in the post Jurassic of journalism - shouldn’t have to wait a few more weeks. Ah but alas, waning public, even hopes that global warming is dreadfully true fails to bring the needed swelter to melt that lump of frozen doldrums.
By Mark
July 25, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
African art = welfare check
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August 20, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
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