Date: Fri 10-Sep-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

Freeman-Gloster

Full Text:

Self Taught Art Exhibition At Deep Listening Space Gallery

(with cuts)

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- "In Our Own Back Yard" is a folk art exhibition at Deep

Listening Space Gallery which features the work of Sandy "Boe" Freeman and

Theresa Gloster. The exhibition will provide a chronicle of the lives of black

folk creatively, vibrantly and responsibly preserved.

The movement of migrant workers, particularly to and from agricultural areas

during much of this century has fueled similar activity in the Hudson Valley,

one of New York's agricultural centers. After World War II many blacks with

roots in North Carolina cropped tobacco at home and came north to the Hudson

Valley to work the apple orchards in the fall.

Presently living in Ellenville, Sandy "Boe" Freeman (or Free-Man as he likes

to sign his art) was a fourth generation sharecropper in Green County, N.C. At

16 he headed to New York. One week before he was scheduled to leave to fight

in the Vietnam War, an accident while working with a machine press sheared off

all but one finger and thumb from his left hand and two fingers from his

right.

In spite of the tragedy "Boe" has created an outstanding body of work. One

demonstration of this was his highly successful solo exhibition in the Gallery

Link at the Ellenville Public Library and Museum. He has also received acclaim

at the Atlanta Folk Fest and generated keen interest among mainstream

collectors of what some refer to as "Outsider" art.

Theresa Isbell Gloster was born in Hilbert, W. Va. Raised by her grandparents,

she credits her caring and loving family environment as the primary

inspiration for her work. Many of her paintings recall incidents from her

childhood. Her work has been exhibited at the Atlanta Folk Fest where it

caused quite a stir among viewers and collectors alike.

Storytelling and rhythm are the cornerstones of black creative expression. The

development of folk art has closely mirrored that of black music in America,

particularly gospel and the blues and their tradition of social commentary

deeply rooted in an historical imperative to discover a place which becomes

paradise by reason of the self's right to belong and be appreciated.

Four storytelling programs will be presented as part of the exhibition's

interpretive programming, two by Mary Umulu, PhD, with Montego Joe, and two by

Back-A-Yard Theatre.

Dr Umulu is an elder/griot of storytellers, her style in the tradition of her

Southern roots. Combined with the driving rhythms of the renowned Motego Joe,

she has created an exciting program for audiences for all ages. Back-A-Yard

Theatre, under the leadership of Marline Marti, combines rhythm and movement

while illustrating storytelling as art and joy.

The exhibition and programming are presented by TRANSART & Cultural services,

a non-profit arts organization located in West Park, N.Y. TRANSART's executive

director, Green Smith is the curator of this exhibition.

TRANSART has a history of bringing art and culture to the Hudson Valley. Most

recently they presented "In The Spirit," a contemporary African American quilt

exhibition. Additionally, this exhibition and its programs were made possible

in part with public monies from the New York State Council on the Arts, the

Natural Heritage Trust and Senator William J. Larkin, Jr.

Further support is provided by Pauline Oliveros Foundation, Free-Man Folk Art,

St James Methodist Church, Home Depot, Ellenville African American Men's

Association, Ellenville NAACP, Ministerial Alliance of Ellenville and others.

The art exhibit "In Our Own Back Yard" will be held through October 16 at the

Deep Listening Space Gallery, 75 Broadway. Exhibition hours are Thursday

through Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm; other days by appointment. Telephone

914/384-6350.