YES I CAN!

Join me on Wednesday,October 14th in New York City! Meet world renowned artist,art educator,activist and advocate Faith Ringgold! Great Art! Great Food! Great Music! Great Fun! Hope to see you there!I Don't Want To Be Gavin DeGraw

What Will Your Legacy Be?

Jude Harzer with hostess and world renowned artist, Faith Ringgold
Jude Harzer and Dr. Margaret Burroughs
AENJ Executive Board members: Jude Harzer, Teri Trumpbour and Barbara Calvo with Faith Ringgold's "Cassie" from "Tar Beach"

Last Sunday afternoon,June 28th, I attended the 11th Annual Anyone Can Fly Foundation Garden Party, hosted by renowned artist and arts activist, Faith Ringgold.I was a guest of friend, artist and educator Trish Maunder, who works closely with Faith's not for profit foundation which seeks to celebrate art and art education and "to honor Master Artists and Scholars of the African Diaspora who have created a groundbreaking body of work that changed the course of art history."

Each year , Faith Ringgold and her foundation honors an esteemed guest with a lifetime achievement award.The 2009 awardee was Dr. Margaret T Burroughs. The resume of this very talented and celebrated 93 year old artist is both extensive and impressive. She says of herself, "I wish my art to speak not only for my people but for all humanity...my subject matter is social commentary and seeks to improve the condition of life for all people." "Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs, poet, visual artist, educator, arts organizer and co- founder of the DuSable museum of African American History; is thought of as one of the most distinguished and influential African American artists and arts educators of our time." Dr. Burroughs addressed the audience,ending her presentation with a reading of her 2005 poem entitled,

"What Will Your Legacy Be?"

"What will your legacy be?
Stop for a moment and listen to me and
answer this question if you can.
What will your legacy be?
When you must cross that great divide into
an area from which none can hide. When
you, alone, with no one by your side with no
friend to lead you or to hold your hand?
What will your legacy be?
What deeds have you done in your lifetime
which will be left for you to be remembered by? "
Her presence and her voice commanded attention. Her words were deliberate and powerful. To read the poem in its entirety, click here:
www.pww.org/article/articleview/10506/
Following her presentation, I asked Dr. Burroughs if she worked daily on her own art. She answered without hesitation an emphatic, "Yes." I questioned her about life , her technique and her purpose. I told her about my own rediscovery of my work. After realizing that we are both November born babies,(Scorpios..."small but not to be crossed she said"), she hugged me and directed me to keep going, move forward, act every day toward achieving my goal but to think consciously about what it is I want to contribute.

I am currently composing an article for an art publication about the experience of this day. To be among these living art legends: Faith Ringgold and Dr. Margaret Burroughs, who act mindfully as a way of life, who act with purpose, who create art that reflects their own rich cultural and social experiences but also the experiences of others, was awe inspiring.

"What will your legacy be?" I commented to Dr. Burroughs that I consider this very seriously at this point in my life. She said to simply act, to create as an artist and to share the idea...shout it and spread it...How will you be remembered? I am confident that I am on the right path...my legacy will somehow be inextricably connected with my art. It is who and what I am. Who and what are you?

Faith Ringgold: Finding Inspiration

"I have set my life up so that I don't have to worry about [my work] being accepted. If I do it, and it's there, people will come around at some point. And they have." Faith Ringgold

When I first rediscovered my art three years ago, I was encouraged by my colleague and friend Susan MacDougall, just six months later, to attend a University of the Arts workshop where NJ based artist, Faith Ringgold was presenting. Although I instruct my students about Faith Ringgold's work and would actually have the opportunity to meet this living:) artistic legend, I didn't relish the thought of spending all day Saturday in Philadelphia participating in a "class" for which I would have to pay....Well that Mrs. MacDougall is very wise and persuasive. Fortunately I went to the UArts event and it literally changed my life.It also made me think twice before passing up opportunities...especially those that seem to fall into your lap.

You must take chances. If you do nothing, you reduce the possibilities you have for greater joy.—Walter Anderson

In addition to meeting Faith and her daughter Barbara Wallace, I met my friend Trish Maunder, a dynamic and smart artist and educator.I can never get enough of her British accent( I love the sound of certain people's voices):)She prompted me to show Faith Ringgold some images of my own work that I had with me. At first I was intimidated and embarrassed. Faith was certainly not there to conduct portfolio assessments. But if you have ever met Faith Ringgold(and many artists have because she is so accessible and generous with her time), she is simultaneously regal, gracious and "real".There is no artifice or pretension.

Not only did I share my work with her but I conversed with her about the seriousness of my intentions to become an artist and she in turn told me her story of rising early before her daughters every morning to paint and the need for discipline, devotion and a dedicated work space.She talked about every woman's struggle to balance home,children and work...and, I am a good student and took her words to heart.The following week, at the invitation of Faith and her daughter Barbara, I auctioned my first ,"Fly" painting at the ACA Galleries in Chelsea, NYC on behalf of her Anyone Can Fly Foundation. I haven't stopped painting since and I rise nearly every morning all year long at 5 am to paint.It has become second nature...effortless because I rediscovered through this process my true passion for art. At 5 am it is peaceful and everything begins anew for me... It has been magical!

I have also been very fortunate to maintain contact with Faith and Trish.Faith Ringgold has a children's museum opening in Harlem in 2011.I'll keep you posted on the progess. Today Trish Maunder forwarded an article about Ms. Ringgold and her support of our newly elected President Obama. It was with great confidence that I voted for him in November. We are in need of his guidance as a nation at this moment in history. He will lead us with strength, dignity,fairness and intelligence.And his wife Michelle, his equal in every way,will do the same. I know it! I can feel it:) Faith Ringgold believes it as well.

Tomorrow will be historical as our 44th President, Barack Obama, is inaugurated.Here is an article that Trish emailed me earlier this evening. As artists we are always seeking inspiration.Obama will inspire us.Read how he has inspired Faith.
CLICK HERE TO READ!. May you always find beauty and inspiration!