Lorain, Elyria art exhibits highlight Black History, local artists

LORAIN — During February, the white walls of the Lorain Arts Council gallery are filled with larger-than-life portraits of Black and Latino leaders. Students from Harrison Cultural Center's art program have been working for more than a year on some of the paintings, depicting everyone from rapper Tupac Shakur to Che Guevara with Lorain-based artist Jeff Pye. Friday evening marked the opening of the exhibition. Lorain Arts Council President Antonio Barrios said the Arts Council has worked with Pye for the past four years, hosting a Black History Month exhibit in honor of Pye's father, self-taught artist James Pye. This year Barrios said they had more art than wall space. "Art speaks to everybody, it's a universal language — you don't have to know how they're seeing what they're saying but just look at the image, if it touches you, they did their job," he said. He noted the show is not just Black historical figures like Harriet Tubman, but Latino icons including boxer and activist Oscar De La Hoya. "Latino's also have African American blood in us — some a little bit more, some a little bit less." Barrios said. "Some will not admit it at all, other ones they couldn't help but say that, you know. Puerto Ricans are kind of a special little group on the side ... we have the same problems and a microcosm of problems. But I'm so glad that he brought this here to share together with African American culture because we do have the same roots." Pye agreed. His program works with youth who find their way to Harrison through the court system, community service, or a need for a safe place and expression. Alongside the portraits are works by local artist Christopher Wade, who focuses on historical paintings. Flanking the front of the gallery space, two of his larger works remind viewers of the harder parts of history — depicting lynchings. "It's supposed to start a conversation, like wow I don't want to talk about it or I got emotional or I don't want to see it — people are going to have different feelings about it but this is the reality and it's part of art." That conversation was mirrored at the Elyria Arts Council Friday evening, with the opening of Leaders of Today's Black History Month exhibit. Leaders of Today Executive Director Maralis Hammons said the show is part of its public art and culture program, focusing on bringing Lorain and Elyria high school students together to raise awareness about racial equity. The pieces in the exhibit, from poetry and photography to lack and white stencil paintings of individuals killed by police. "It's not often that the cities come together to do things, so students are able to collaborate with other students through other schools and the thing is they're all going through the same things when it comes to socioeconomic factors," he said. "So it's a great way to learn about public service and for them to also build their personal development skills." Eight students from Hammons' program received $250 scholarships from the Community Foundation of Lorain County's Racial Equity Fund. Those pieces will be used to create 8-by-4-foot murals by the end of summer to display throughout Lorain and Elyria. Students had four themes to choose from for the exhibit: racial equity; unity and nonviolence; community pride; and positive mental health. For Hammons, the exhibit hopes to remind viewers there are opportunities within the community. For Pye, it is the stories of those who tried to make a difference with the life they lived. "We're all human beings, and it's so much the skin, we all have something connecting (us)," Pye said. "We've got to quit looking at each other — sure it's good to be different and diversified, but at the same time you can look at how we are connected." Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com. ELYRIA ARTS COUNCILWhat: Leaders of Today Black History ExhibitWhen: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 13 and 276:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 19Where: 336 Broad St. Registration is required via leadersoftoday.org LORAIN ARTS COUNCILWhat: Black Heritage James F. Pye Community Art ExhibitWhen: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday in FebruaryWhere: 737 Broadway