To Build, To
Involve, To Instill Pride In Our Community
ART IN THE BARRIO: Larecenia Talley and John
Simms: The Joy of Being
by Ursula R. Murray
“The Joy of Being”,
an exhibition of paintings by Larcenia Talley and John Simms, opens at the BHA
Gallery, 2715 Bagley, in Southwest Detroit, on Saturday, January 10, 2004. Two
artists who exemplify the theme, the exuberance of being alive, the pleasure of
being visual artists, and the integrity of being true to themselves, will
showcase their work during January and February. Both artists are members of NCA (National Conference of Artists), the Detroit Chapter; they share a similar
debt to their mothers as their early teachers, and after a career in another
field have become professional artists. The artists’ reception is Saturday,
January 10 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Larcenia Talley is a native Detroiter
and former elementary school teacher and administrator. She holds B.S. and M.
ED degrees from Wayne State University. Although her interests in both music
and art surfaced quite early, the primary focus during her formative years was
on music. She began piano lessons at age five (with her mother serving as her
first music teacher). For many years to follow Larcenia enjoyed a reputation
for being both ‘prodigious and accomplished’ at the keyboard.
The
opportunity to pursue her second passion by becoming a serious art student
finally came with her retirement in 1987. Since then, she has studied at the
Center for Creative Studies and the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. She is a
frequent exhibitor and an award winning painter in the metropolitan Detroit
area. Her oil paintings are included in several private collections. Although
she is primarily an abstract painter, she does some still lifes and portraits.
The
usually strong visual impact of her work is due mainly to her adroit and
pleasurable sense of color. She likens the use of ‘colorways’ in painting to
the depth and harmony that chords bring to a musical composition. Ms. Talley
has expressed the hope that her work “provide the viewer with a visual
experience that will enlighten, affirm, or celebrate our participation along
life’s journey”.
John Wesley Simms, Jr. was born in
Anderson, Indiana, in a small parsonage adjoining Wallace Chapel AME Zion
Church, which his father pastored. The family moved to Indianapolis where John
attended public schools. John’s mother made sure the he “had a full belly;
learned [his] lessons; and stayed on a path that was pleasing unto God.” She
nurtured him through a sickly childhood, taught him faith, and would never let
him give up at anything. “Failure was inconceivable, not an option.”
John’s
artistic talent was evident in primary school but thwarted by one practical
minded yet racially insensitive teacher who strongly encouraged him to ‘take up
a trade’ rather than pursue his love of art. With art school far beyond the
financial reach and vision of a preacher’s family, John joined the US Army where
he served for three years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. Honorably
discharged, John returned to ‘take up a trade’ and provide for his family.
Encouraged by his childhood upbringing ‘not to give up” and mentoring by Joseph
Holiday and Carl Owens, John’s interest in art never waned. He continued to
draw and paint. His work was exhibited at the 1972 Indiana Black Expo
John
pursued a UAW skilled trades apprenticeship program taking engineering classes
and earning a supervisor’s position in plant engineering. General Motors
relocated him and his family to Detroit, where his children were raised.
Finally, he felt at ease to pursue his life-long dream of earning a degree in
art. He began at Macomb Community College and received an Associate of Applied
Science in Commercial Art; then, on scholarship attended the Center for Creative
Studies from which he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. His own business
provided fine art, graphics and photography services to individuals and
companies. The paintings in the BHA Gallery exhibit are watercolors, oil
paintings, vine charcoal and prisma colors drawings.
The
exhibits at BHA Gallery are sponsored and organized by The Hispanic Art and
Education Center at Ste. Anne de Detroit (THAEC), a non-profit organization.
THAEC receives grants from the City of Detroit Cultural Affairs Department,
Comerica, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, New Detroit, Inc, the Coalition,
and the 9 Tuna Foundation.
BHA
Gallery is located on Bagley between Ste. Anne Street (19th) and 20th
Streets in SW Detroit, easily accessible from I75, and I96. Take the Bridge to
Canada/Porter Street exit; turn left onto the East Service Drive for one block;
turn right on Bagley; Bagley Housing Association is the first building on the
right.. There is a Gallery sign hanging from a lamppost, and a banner
announcing the exhibit hangs on the building.
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All photos are copyright
2002-2008 Bagley Housing Association and may not be duplicated or used in any
manner without express written permission of Bagley Housing Association.
engineering classes
and earning a supervisor’s position in plant engineering. General Motors
relocated him and his family to Detroit, where his children were raised.
Finally, he felt at ease to pursue his life-long dream of earning a degree in
art. He began at Macomb Community College and received an Associate of Applied
Science in Commercial Art; then, on scholarship attended the Center for Creative
Studies from which he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. His own business
provided fine art, graphics and photography services to individuals and
companies. The paintings in the BHA Gallery exhibit are watercolors, oil
paintings, vine charcoal and prisma colors drawings.
