Young artists prove MLK's message is alive and well
Ja’mir Small, 11, stands beside his mother, Jasmine Hairston, at the MLK youth art gallery and exhibit Monday night. Small took home the overall Best in Show award at the event. Photo by Elisabeth Strillacci, Davidson Local
In a room filled with artistic renderings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work, the heart of his message was clearly alive and well in the minds and works of local children.
For the second year, Anything For Our Youth Group (AFOY) of Lexington hosted an MLK art gallery and exhibit at 202 North Main Street on Monday night at the conclusion of MLK day.
“We try to reach youth ages kindergarten through twelfth grade, introducing some to art or for some just continuing the art program they are in,” said event organizer Tina Royal. The location of the exhibit was 202 North Main Street, home to Arts Davidson County/Lexington Live Theater. It was chosen not only because the space lends itself to an exhibit but to let people know the small community theater is there and open to the public.
Royal said AFOY received a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council through the local Arts Davidson County organization, both event sponsors. Other sponsors include the Black Butterfly Network-Lexington, Food Lion Feeds and Walmart Community Foundation.
The number of entries more than doubled this year, going from fewer than 25 last year to more than 85 this year, and Royal gives at least part of the credit to Lexington City Schools Superintendent Dr. Nakia Hardy.
“We did not have a lot of entries from Lexington city schools last year, “said Royal, “so I met with Dr. Hardy and she made sure we had many more entries this year.”
“We support this organization and their efforts to get children involved in art,” said Executive Director of Arts Davidson county Amanda Feliciano. “Diversity is very important and arts should be accessible to everyone, and this is a part of making that happen.”
Lexington City Council member Jim Meyers was delighted by the number of entries and by the quality of the work.
“I think it’s wonderful,” he said. “It gives the kids a chance to express themselves and I think the earlier we give them tools to do that, the better.”
Ja’mir Small, 11, was chosen overall Best in Show at the event for his piece “Love Everyone,” and said he was “very surprised” that he won, but said it felt good. Small was surrounded by family at the event, all of whom expressed pride in his accomplishment.
Angel Brito took home first place for his depiction of several parts of King’s “I have a dream” speech. Elisabeth Strillacci, Davidson Local
Angel Brito, 12, took first place with a collection of drawings reflecting different parts of King’s “I have a dream” speech
“I heard that speech and it changed and inspired me,” he said. “I’m not an artist, I don’t take art classes, but I decided I wanted to do this. What did I have to lose?” He completed the piece over two to three days, he said.
First-grader Brielle Eley, whose piece is at the top, said the quote she chose helped her see the world as a collection of all the skin colors. Elisabeth Strillacci, Davidson Local
One younger artist, Brielle Eley, 6, said King’s quote about living together as brothers or perishing together as fools made her look at the world as just so many different colors that all work together. Asked if she thought she could one day do things like King had done, she replied, “I could be brave enough.”
Visitors to the MLK art gallery and exhibit look over a collection of pieces called “Love Wins” by the Kidz Dream Klub. Elisabeth Strillacci, Davidson Local
The art will remain in display at the theater until the end of January, when all but one piece will be returned to the student artists. One piece, Small’s “Love Everyone,” will be displayed in the Davidson County Historical Museum, the former Davidson County Courthouse, until the end of Black History month in February.
Members of First presbyterian Church’s Race Unification Committe (RUC) provided refreshments for children and adults alike attending the MLK art gallery and exhibition Monday, organized by the Anything For Our Youth Group. This is the second year they have provided food and drink for the event. Elisabeth Strillacci, Davidson Local
Refreshments at the event were provided, for the second year, by First Presbyterian Church’s RUC or Race Unification Committee, whose members say the believe strongly in bringing the community together, through art as much as other events.
