by Beth Conahan
a&e editor
Black History Month started off with a creative bang this year with three talented African American artists exhibiting samples of their works in the Grace and Joseph Gorevin Fine Arts Gallery in the Holy Spirit Library.
Michele Thomas Holt is exhibiting samples from several of her series. They are fun and full of color.
In 1994, Holt was commissioned to design a cover for the Philadelphia Daily News. The finished product was “Philly Style.” This fun, amazing work, which hangs just inside the door of the gallery, celebrates the bright color and extravagant style of the Mummer’s Parade.
“A lot of my paintings are inspired by my children and my friends and my family,” Holt said.Once inspiration strikes, she begins painting with little idea where the creative process will end.
Richard Johnson has been a photographer for 32 years. His series of photos are of landscapes in the southwest. Johnson, who describes himself as “theme oriented,” focuses on thunderstorms.
His photos show large expanses of angry or turbulent sky. He captures “the drama and power of the thunderstorms,” he said.
He offers advice to students that would be helpful in any field. “Get to know your craft and equipment.” He thinks that worrying about which knob to turn slows the process.
David Lawrence is exhibiting a series that appropriately features his own unique style he calls “Pyramidism.” It ties together the “sciences of astronomy, numerology and physics with imagery and symbols of ancient indigenous cultures,” he said, describing the Pyramidism style.
Lawrence uses a mixed media and a layering effect “to create the illusion of depth.”
Holt’s, Johnson’s and Lawrence’s works will be in the Holy Spirit Library until March 4.
