June 23, 2005

What's New in Bronzeville!

The Lake Meadows Art Fair was a success. Please click the thumbnails below to view a larger version of the pictures. Photographs courtesy of Mr. Harold L. Lucas.

Scenes from the Lake Meadows Art Fair

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Comments on the Art Fair

For those of you that missed the advertisements in newspapers, on the current front page of www.bronzevilleonline.com, Raynard's e-mail blasts, and the many pluggers that have been circulating: Helen West, the owner of Neleh's Artistic Expressions Art Gallery hosts "Art Renaissance-Rebirth of the Lake Meadows Art Fair" at 34th & King Drive. Saturday, June 25 & Sunday, June 26. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

I'm sending this e-mail because I am so proud of what she has done. I went yesterday and was pleased to find that the number of vendors were plentiful, well spaced out, and in the shade. They were all very friendly, with a nice selection of wares that varied from very well known artists (Melvin King, Marvin Sin, Damali, Dayo Laoye, Dalushaka, etc.), many creative and up and coming artists, and beautiful pieces by children as young as 5 years old.

The DJ was playing "grown folks music" and Ken Chaney entertained us as well. I had a wonderful time.

If you guys get a chance to go out today, don't miss it. Dr. Margaret Burroughs will be honored for starting this particular art fair in 1956. And I believe Dee Alexander will be the performing artist.

Ms. West, of Neleh's Artistic Expressions, is to be commended for successfully bringing this art fair back to us (and single handedly if I am not mistaken). You done good girl! Thank you Helen. I look forward to next year.

Jackie Marshall

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Bronzeville's Historic Lake Meadows Art Fair
June 25-26, 2005 at Lake Meadows Shopping Center

Working from her desk at the rear of her beautiful new Bronzeville business, Helen West, proprietor of Neleh Artistic Expressions, organizes final preparations for the Art Renaissance: Rebirth of the Lake Meadows Art Fair. The Fair is scheduled for June 25/26, 2005 from 11 am - 7 pm. in the Lake Meadows shopping center, located at 35th & Martin Luther King Drive at the Gateway to the Black Metropolis Historic District.

CHICAGO, June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Neleh Artistic Expressions will present "Art Renaissance - Rebirth of the Lake Meadows Art Fair" on June 25-26, 2005. The fair will operate from 11am - 7pm on Saturday and 11am - 6pm on Sunday, at the Lake Meadows Shopping Center, 35th & King Drive, in Chicago.

According to Helen West, proprietor of Neleh Artistic Expressions, Art Renaissance is destined to catapult Bronzeville once again as THE destination for fine art within Chicago's African American community. The revitalization of this art fair, co-sponsored by Shore Bank, has gained phenomenal momentum, with nationally renowned artists and entertainers scheduled to participate.

On Saturday, June 25th, hosted by Gachelle Coffey, Art Renaissance opens with a welcome from 4th Ward Alderman, Toni Preckwinkle, followed with performances by the King College Preparatory High School Jazz Band, The Healing Force Jazz Ensemble, live jazz performances by Ken Chaney and poetry readings by Frances Callaway Parks.

Sunday, June 26th, hosted by Deborah Crable, Art Renaissance will close with Artist and Student Artist Awards & Recognitions, a Special Tribute to honorees Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Sylvester Britton and Melvin King by Clifford Kelly, and live jazz performances by Dee Alexander.

Underlying her commitment to youth and to the community, West will recognize, Student artists who participate in Art Renaissance in a competition for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place scholarships for continuing their art education at one of three venues, the South Side Community Arts Center, Little Black Pearl Workshop, or private instruction by renowned artist, Gerald Sanders. Since opening in November, 2003, West has exhibited and sold artwork by student artists, Timothy Beard, Randall Jones, and Shenella Parker.

Educator Lenton Kirkland, a Guidance Director for students attending Wendell Phillips High School and a fine arts buyer, along with Helen West, proprietor of Neleh Artistic Expressions Gallery, admires a 1981 oil painting by noted artist William Carter. The painting is conservatively valued at $18,000. This historic piece of art will be on display during the renaissance of the Lake Meadows Art Fair on June 25/26, 2005.

Exhibiting artists and authors include Akosua, Marcus Alleyne, Babatunde, LaSheron Bankhead, Gloria Buckley, Donnie Carter, Delle Chatman, Stephanie Coleman, Francine Cummings, Dalushaka, Damali, Donnelly Youth Center, Albert Elumn, Ana Faust, Quinton Foreman, Joseph Frost, Rhonda Gray, Tom Harris, Monica Kelsie, Emmett McBain, Nicole Gallery, Turtel Onli, Dan Parker, Frances Parks, Phillip's Fine Art, Felicia Grant Preston, Michaele A. Roberts, Ernest Samuels, Marvin Sin, Otis Thompson, Patrick Thompson, Cheryl Toles, World of Sculpture, and Arthur Wright.

Lake Meadows, conveniently located near Michael Reese and Mercy Hospitals, was traditionally a key shopping destination on the near southside. The area suffered years of neglect but has recently enjoyeda renaissance of renewed interest because of its proximity to downtown (only a few blocks directly south of McCormick Place). Urban professionals and cultural entrepreneurs are leading the resurgence of the historically significant area by renovating landmark homes along King Drive and surrounding streets. A new Bronzeville Visitor Information Center will soon be opening the Supreme/Liberty Life Center on the corner of 35th & Dr. Martin Luther King Drive at the Gateway to the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area.

From left to right in photo, Linda Chambers, an assistant artistic director, and Helen West organize marketing and public relations materials for the upcoming Lake Meadows Art Fair happening this weekend. They are working at the layout and picture framing table at the front of Neleh Artistic Expressions Art Gallery, strategically located at 3467 South Martin Luther King Drive. Check out all the great prints and framed photographs on the wall in the rear.

The Lake Meadows art fair has a long history, beginning in 1956, when Dr. Margaret Burroughs, founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History, and other organizers premiered the now historic art fair. Over the years, it was instrumental in launching the careers of many now prominent African American artists. This historic tradition is being resumed and will honor Chicago's art legends with a special tribute by WVON's Clifford Kelly, to Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Sylvester Britton and Melvin King. All of whom emerged from the Bronzeville community to achieve national fame.

"Now is the time," says Helen West, "to top off development with a cultural renaissance. Ample free parking and spacious covered walkways insure, the fair will go, on even if it rains."

SOURCE Neleh Artistic Expressions