Cultural Crossroads Winners

The winners of this year's Cultural Crossroads National Juried Competition (Oct 14 - Nov 23) are:

FIRST PLACE

Immigrants: Limboland

by Duat H Vu

SECOND PLACE

Caballeros

by George Schober

THIRD PLACE

Free to Be

by MM Dupay

HONORABLE MENTION

Remembering Mr. Potato Head

by Brian Haverlock

HONORABLE MENTION

American Farm Splendor

by Charles Hildebrandt

HONORABLE MENTION

Faith Healing

by Kathryn Cook

HONORABLE MENTION

La Vieja

by Antuco Chicaiza

This exhibition is on display at Associated Artists through November 23, 2010.  Associated Artists of Winston-Salem is located at 301 W. 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.  Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm.

Recap of "Culture, Identity, and Communication in Contemporary Mural Art"

Bamidele Demerson, Executive Director of the International Civil Rights Museum, led a gallery talk on October 29th, at Associated Artists, titled "Culture, Identity, and Communication in Contemporary Mural Art"

This event coincided with the Cultural Crossroads exhibition, juried by prominent artist and muralist Colin Quashie. 

During his gallery talk, Mr. Demerson discussed work by several artists in the exhibition including the work "Faith Healing" by Kathryn Cook (shown above).  Other artists whose work he mentioned included Shawn Beard,  Diane Nations, and Lisa Travis.

Above: Mr. Demerson discusses the musical themes in a mural by Aaron Douglas.  This mural, titled "An Idyll of the Deep South" is located in Harlem in NYC.  He went into detail descriptions about several murals by african american artists and artists from all over the world.  Each mural's themes, symbolism, interpretations, and meanings were discussed.

Mr. Demerson made the statement that "every time you look at a painting or a mural, you stand at a cultural crossroads between the artist's intention and your own perception." 

To learn more about gallery talks and upcoming events at Associated Artists of Winston-Salem, please visit us online at www.associatedartists.org/calendars.

Free Gallery Talk Thursday (Oct 28) at 7pm

"Culture, Identity, and Communication in Contemporary Mural Art"
with Bamidele Demerson, Executive Director of the International Civil Rights Museum

WHEN  Thursday, October 28, 7pm

WHERE Associated Artists of Winston-Salem
COST free

ABOUT  Is what you see the story the artist intended you to see? Bamidele Demerson, Executive Director of the International Civil Rights Center in Greensboro NC, will present a talk on mural art as a tool for communication. Examples of contemporary murals will be shown, and various historical, anthropological, and sociological perspectives reflecting show themes will be discussed.

The International Civil Rights Center commemorates the 1960 sit-in at the Greensboro five & dime store, Woolworth's. The museum was opened in February 2009, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of that event. The center serves as a repository for information and artifacts, as well as a teaching center and museum. Hours and information for planning your visit are at http://www.sitinmovement.org/

Trena McNabb, Cultural Crossroads Chair

Many of you admired the delightful bouquet of flowers on display at Oct 14th's opening of Cultural Crossroads.  These flowers were provided by Trena McNabb's fantastic garden.  This was a special bouquet that held two very rare and endangered American flowers, one of which was the Geogia Aster (the delicate spiky purple flower).  Along with being one of the artists who currently has work included the Cultural Crossroads exhibition, Trena is creative in another fashion as well - gardening!  In fact, Trena's garden was featured in the Winston-Salem Journal earlier this summer.  Here is a link where you can read about her natural garden:

http://www.tmcnabb.com/journalBARE.html

Along with providing the flowers for the centerpiece and chairing the show, Trena also brought that delicious Persimmon Pudding.  Many of you have asked for the recipe and will be happy to see that Trena is going to share it with you here: 

Persimmon Pudding

From Mary Yates (Mother of Trena McNabb).
She said the sequence of mixing is important:

2 cups persimmons (strained and pulp removed)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 tall can of canned milk
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 and ½ cups self-rising flour
2 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teasp. Vanilla
¾ stick of butter melted in a 9” x 13” dish

If persimmon pulp is frozen, before thawing, cut plastic covering and dump in dish you will be mixing it in. Allow to thaw. (Recommended: premeasure the pulp before freezing.  In separate bowl, mix the flour, 1 cup of the sugar and spices, baking powder. Sift together.  In the bowl with the persimmons, add the 2 eggs and beat till smooth.  Add the rest of the sugar and mix thoroughly.  Add ½ of the milk, mix well.  Sift part of the flour mixture and mix thoroughly.  Add the rest of the milk, and vanilla, mix thoroughly.  Add the remaining flour mixture, again, mix thoroughly.  Turn the pan around to coat with the melted butter.  Pour in the melted and still warm butter.  Blend until smooth.  Pour batter into the buttered pan and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.  Pudding will be firm but moist.  Optional: one cup of coconut added to the batter before baking

Happy cooking!

Opening Reception of "Cultural Crossroads"

The opening reception for "Cultural Crossroads" took place Thursday, October 14th at Associated Artists of Winston-Salem.  A national juried exhibition, this show featured work from all over the country - with a few international works of art as well!  The juror for this year's third annual exhibition was Colin Quashie, a renowned muralist and painter from Charleston, SC.  You can learn about his work by visiting his website at http://www.quashie.com/



Out of over 300 works of art submitted for entry into the show, Colin Quashie selected 74 for inclusion in the exhibition.  This year's winners were:

1st place: "Immigrants: Limboland" by Duat H. Vu
2nd place: "Caballeros" by George Schober
3rd place: "Free to Be" by M.M. Dupay
Honorable Mention: "Remembering Mr. Potato Head" by Brian Haverlock
Honorable Mention: "American Farm Splendor" by Charles Hildebrandt
Honorable Mention: "Faith Healing" by Kathryn Cook
Honorable Mention:  "La Vieja" by Antuco Chicaiza

The reception included live music from the Hispanic Arts Initiative.

Refreshments were brought by volunteers as well as donated by area restaurants.  Restaurants who supported Cultural Crossroads were Mooney's Mediterranean Cafe, Rana Loca, Hutch & Harris, the Grilled Asparagus, and Downtown Thai. 

Wine was provided by Total Wine & More.

Trena McNab (image below, center) was this year's show chair, and she did an amazing job coordinating all of the volunteers, art intake, food donations, hanging the show, etc.  She was tireless - as were all of the volunteers!  Thank you!

This year's exhibition was presented by Seth Moskowitz along with a matching gift from Reynolds American.  Additional support was provided by Park West Salon, Tuggle Duggins, Hispanic League, Salem Senior Services, Clarks Group, Piers Clarkson, & Vicki Schober.

To see more photos from the opening reception, please visit our Facebook Album

Cultural Crossroads - Lineup of Events

ABOUT  Cultural Crossroads
Associated Artists will open our third annual Cultural Crossroads exhibition on Thursday October 14th. Over 300 entries were submitted this year, from as far away as Indonesia. Of these, artist and show juror Colin Quashie has selected 74 for acceptance and exhibition.

As an artist, Quashie is known for provocative pieces which challenge mainstream perceptions of race, culture, and history. We are honored to have him with us for the reception. Additionally, we bring Bamidele Demerson, Executive Director of the International Civil Rights Museum, to our gallery on Thursday October 28th for a special gallery talk: "Culture, Identity, ..... Contemporary Mural Art."

As always, the reception and gallery talk at AAWS are free and open to the public. Additional information is available on our website.  Special discounts on rooms for out of town visitors are offered by The Hawthorne Inn.

SHOW SPONSORS

This exhibition is proudly presented by Seth Moskowitz. Additional support has been provided by the Reynolds American Foundation, Salem Senior Housing, The Hispanic League, Tuggle Duggins, Park West Salon, Hawthorne Inn, Vicki Schober, Piers Clarkson, The Hispanic Arts Initiative, and Clarks Group.

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, October 14, 5-7pm
Juror's remarks and artist awards will be presented at 6 PM. 
Music by Hispanic Arts Initiative

All wine provided by Total Wine & More of Winston-Salem.

Food provided by Mooney's Mediterranean Cafe', Hutch & Harris, Downtown Thai, Rana Loca, & The Grilled Asparagus, in addition to AAWS member volunteers.

Cost: FREE

MEET THE JUROR: Colin Quashie

Charleston artist Colin Quashie was recently commissioned by the UNC school of business to paint one of their "Missing History Murals." His mural commemorated the Woolworth's sit in of 1960. "Quashie's art faces off against hard issues of culture, politics and race with a self-conscious awareness that often offends (or disturbs) black, white and other; he discriminates with equality and equanimity. Operating in the tradition of the French avant-garde artists, Quashie challenges the status quo mentality and functioning on frustration with the vision of the masses." -quote from SouthernArtistry.org

Colin Quashie's website: http://www.quashie.com/
Colin Quashie's blog: http://www.quashieart.blogspot.com/

GALLERY TALK:  Thursday, October 28, 7pm

"Culture, Identity, and Communication in Contemporary Mural Art"

Is what you see the story the artist intended you to see?  Bamidele Demerson, Executive Director of the International Civil Rights Center in Greensboro NC, will present a talk on mural art as a tool for communication. Examples of contemporary murals will be shown, and various historical, anthropological, and sociological perspectives reflecting show themes will be discussed.  Cost: FREE

The International Civil Rights Center commemorates the 1960 sit-in at the Greensboro five & dime store, Woolworth's. The museum was opened in February 2009, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of that event. The center serves as a repository for information and artifacts, as well as a teaching center and museum. Hours and information for planning your visit are at http://www.sitinmovement.org/

Calls for Artists!

Associated Artists has two exciting show opportunities coming up: the "Black & White" exhibition (for AAWS members only - to learn about being a member, click here), and the "Cultural Crossroads" national juried exhibition.

To see the prospectus for either of these shows, please follow these links:

Black & White Exhibition

Cultural Crossroads