Art Comes to Life at When Harlem Came to Paris

March 1, 2010 - PRLog -- On Saturday, March 20th at 7pm, “When Harlem Came to Paris” (WHCTP) takes center stage at The Alliance Française located at 2142 Wyoming Avenue in Washington, D.C. Attendees are transported to the year of 1926, through dress, vernacular, art, music and interaction with famed historical and cultural icons of the Harlem Renaissance. This year’s tribute will focus on the young band of visionaries who produced the infamous Fire ! ! literary magazine and music talent from the blues and early jazz era, with an extra emphasis on visual art through a silent auction of original pieces created by James Terrell.

Visual artists were an important element of the Harlem Renaissance and were heavily influenced by Paris. According to Theresa Leininger-Miller, author of New Negro Artists in Paris: African American Painters and Sculptors in the City of Light, 1922-1934 and one of the foremost scholars on this subject, “Paris played a pivotal role in the development of some of the leading Harlem Renaissance artists. At least twelve documented African American visual artists thrived in the bohemian atmosphere of Paris between 1922-1934, studying at the finest academics, exhibiting at respected salons, winning awards, seeing choice art collections, mingling with people of diverse ethnic origins, dancing to jazz, and fervently discussing art, race, literature, philosophy and politics.” A lot of Black artists were sent to France by private foundations and funders, such as Harmon Foundation, Sears Roebuck, The Carnegie Corporation, and the Guggenheim Foundation, to spend a year or two to get inspired, send back work, with Parisian influence.

In honor of this component WHCTP will feature a silent auction, hosted by Authentic Contemporary Arts curator Sharon J. Burton. The auction features 12 original pieces created by local artist James Terrell. At the 2009 WHCTP event Terrell’s piece entitled “Langston,” sold for $900 after a fervent bidding war.  A portion of all proceeds will go to the Alliance’s Anne Bujon Education Initiative foundation, which currently brings French language and culture education to six high-need DC public schools.

A glimpse of the art to be auctioned can be seen at the free preliminary event “partake: Remembering Harlem,” today from 6pm – 9pm at The Alliance Française. “partake” is the brainchild of Sharon Burton who will serve as host and moderator of this part discussion and art reception. This event allows participants the opportunity to engage in conversation about the relevance of the Harlem Renaissance, while previewing art that will be auctioned during the main When Harlem Came to Paris event.

WHCTP Tickets are $65 for the General Public and $55 for Alliance Members.


About The Artist, James Terrell:
James Stephen Terrell is the son of Rev. Dr. James E. Terrell, Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Washington D.C. and Judge Mary A. Terrell of the Superior Court of Washington D.C.  He attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington D.C., received a Bachelors of Fine Art degree from Howard University, and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Parsons School of Design in New York City. In May of 2006, he received a Masters of Divinity Degree from the Union Theological Seminary in New York City with a focus on Theology and the Fine Arts. While attending Union Theological Seminary, Terrell took Fine Art painting elective courses at Columbia University.

Terrell is currently the Art and Design Teacher for Spingarn Senior High School, teaching the foundation of Art and Design to students from grades 9th to 12th and Drawing and Painting to students in grades 10-12. Terrell has lectured on the importance of fine art and influential artist at Union Theological Seminary, Howard University, Second Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Memorial Library, Corcoran School of Design and Sumner Museum. He’s also exhibited paintings in solo exhibitions and group exhibitions in Washington D.C, New York City and New Jersey.

About Lil SoSo Productions:
Established in September 2001, Lil SoSo Productions (LSP) is a multifaceted company that specializes in event concept production, among many other capabilities. Known for its unique events, LSP is the future of cultural entertainment with the ability to provide visibility to an often under marketed demographic that tends to shy away from the mainstream. Marketing schemes. LSP’s serves a client base that is racially diverse, with non-traditional lifestyles choices and professions who are highly engaged in cultural and historical events.

The media are encouraged to cover these events. For more information please visit www.harleminparis.com, www.lilsoso.com, www.authenticartonline.com, or www.francedc.org. For press and sponsorship opportunities please contact Christina Alexander at amplifyimc@gmail.com and Gerald Watson at artvscommerce12@gmail.com, respectively.

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