SU Museum of Art features three Louisiana artists in centennial celebration exhibit
The exhibit opened Thursday, September 25, 2014, with a Meet the Artists Reception. The artists also will be featured at the museum's Homecoming Open House on October 3, 2014, and a Gallery Talk on Saturday, October 11, 2014, at 11:30 a.m.
Each of the three artists is nationally recognized for their works depicting African-American history and the culture, life, and times in the south. Their work captures the essence of southern culture through subjects that represent the many facets of life in southern cities and rural areas.
"Having three artists of this stature for our final exhibit of the 100th anniversary celebration of Southern University Baton Rouge is the perfect way to end the year," said SUMA executive director, Vivian Kerr.
"The provocative images and poignant scenes of life featured in the paintings in this exhibit represent a tribute to the legacy of Southern University," she added.
Selections from the museum's permanent collection as well as the work of young artists from the Baton Rouge public schools (a Baton Rouge Chapter of The Links, Incorporated project), complement the centennial anniversary exhibit.
"The young artists are from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and are excellent examples of our effort to encourage young artists," said Kerr. The exhibit will remain at SUMA through December 20, 2014, after which it will open at the Southern University Museum of Art at Shreveport.
The Artists:
Don Cincone:
A native of Alto, Louisiana, Don Cincone's formal search for enlightenment in the aesthetics began in a one room elementary school called Dunning. Cincone studied at Southern University and the San Francisco School of Fashion Design. That humble beginning opened the way for Cincone to study, travel, and exhibit his art throughout the United States and other countries including Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Haiti Mexico, and Canada. Cincone is known for his unique style of painting that uses lines, swirls, dots and vivid color to capture the essence of his subject. His incomparable style attracted a commission by Universal Studios, to create 85 original paintings and drawings for the movie "The Art of Love," produced by Ross Hunter. Cincone hosted a one-man sellout show in Paris and won the Silver Medal Award of Literary Arts and Sciences in Rome.
An ordained Christian Methodist Episcopal minister Cincone retired after serving for 31 years. Although not a planned career choice, he taught art from 1966 through 1993 and says he enjoyed every moment. Cincone is considered a mentor for many Louisiana artists.
He
is a humble man who says his guiding principles are, "Art is an expression of life for life.
God is the true artist. If I do anything that is credible, that comes from God, I am only a thankful conduit."
Ted Ellis:
Although he currently resides in Houston, Texas, Ted Ellis was raised and educated in New Orleans. A self-taught artist, Ellis considers himself a creative historian, whose primary purpose is to educate through art. Growing up in a city known for its artistic and eclectic style served to inspire Ellis to capture the essence of the subjects and experiences of his childhood by blending realism and impressionism to evoke nostalgia and inspiration. Ellis is dedicated to his craft and draws on a style that was born in his childhood from impressions of his native city.
His art reveres and celebrates the traditional values of his culture. Ellis says he is a man who, "lives the life he paints about."
Darly Triplett:
Louisiana based artist Dary Triplett, a former junior college All-American football player under the legendary football coach Eddie Robinson, and a former native of New Orleans, enjoys creating art that depicts scenes from his New Orleans heritage. Triplett has had many influences on his life, but the New Orleans art and music scenes have remained the major focuses for his art work. From the bold and vivid colors of Mardi Gras to the southern sounds of gospel and jazz, his art has all the flavor and spices of a good "Pot of Gumbo."
Triplett holds a B.S. degree from Grambling State University in art education, a master's degree in liberal arts and the humanities, and more than 30 additional graduate level hours in art, and administration and supervision from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
The Museum: The mission of the Southern University Museum of Art (SUMA) is to assure that the art, artifacts, and other treasured works of Africans, African Americans, and their descendants are accessible to the community in an organized and cherished collection, in a place of historic significance on Southern University System campuses.
Founded on March 9, 2001, SUMA is the realization of a dream for Southern University System (SUS) president emeritus and Board of Supervisors member, Leon R. Tarver II. Tarver, president of SUS until 2005, began collecting African artifacts during his travels to Africa developing a passion for the art of his ancestors and his few artifacts quickly became a vast collection. That passion coupled with his increasing knowledge of the significance of the art, was the impetus for his determination to share his vast collection with others and SUMA was born.
Located in the renovated Martin L. Harvey Hall in an area of the campus designated as a National Historic District (May 2000) SUMA offers a spectacular view of the Mississippi River overlooking the bluffs.
SUMA has grown considerably over the past 13 years with the on-going support of Tarver and other donors of art and artifacts such as William Bertrand and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Wainberg. The museum, dedicated to maintaining a standard of excellence in the care and collection of its art and artifacts, welcomes research and study by faculty, students, staff, and community members.
SUMA is free and open to the public. The museum's hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and weekends by special appointment. To receive additional information or to schedule a group tour, call 225.771.4513 or 225.771.4691.