Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 7 October 1999 — Page 23

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Alain Leroy Locke was a philosopher by profession. But America knew him in another role: as literary and art critic and as a spokesman for the Negro’s artistic contribution to national culture. Locke was a major force in an artistic awakening in the Twenties, referred to as the “Harlem Renaissance.” He helped and encouraged emerging Negro artists, chronicled and interpreted their work to all of America. In his role as a cultural spokesman, Locke also became an outspoken champion of equality— pointing out the waste

involved in judging a man by the color of his skin instead of by his accomplishments. Recognized as an outstanding scholar, author, educator and critic, Locke wrote more than a dozen books on Negro life and culture. Many of them were widely acclaimed. The subject matter ranged from African folk art to America’s only native musical form—jazz. Locke was backed by impressive credentials in his position as interpreter of Negro art. Born in Philadelphia in 1886, he attended Central High School there and then

enrolled at Harvard University where he earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in 1908. He was chosen as a Rhodes scholar and studied at Oxford University until 1910. Then he spent two years at the University of Berlin as a graduate student. Lie returned to the United States in 1912, to accept a post as assistant professor of philosophy at Howard University but continued his studies and was awarded a Ph.D. by Harvard in 1918. Locke then became chairman of Howard’s philosophy department and remained on the faculty for 40

years. He began writing on racial problems and Negro art while still a graduate student. His first book, “Race contacts and Inter-Racial Relations,” was published in 1916. But it wasn’t until 1925 that he gained national attention for his book on the cultural achievements of his race, entitled “The New Negro.” By pointing up black accomplishments, Locke felt he could help create a healthy interracial atmosphere in which all men were judged on merit. Locke’s influence was felt throughout the creative sphere of black America. Lie

was an adviser to the Harlem Experimental Theater, founded in 1928, and was the founder of Associates in Negro Folk Education. He saw to it that the literary work of promising Negroes got into print by editing such works as “Plays of Negro Life,” anthology. One of his most widely acclaimed works was “The Negro in Art,” a survey ranging from African ancestral art to modern painting. Locke retired from his post at Howard in 1953. He died the following year.

Johnson, Stovall tie knot in Muncie

By Tabatha A. Tower-Harris Christal Julayne Johnson and Damon Stovall were recently married in a colorful Muncie ceremony. The wedding was at the High Street United Methodist Church. Johnson wore a slightly off the shoulder wedding gown, decorated with pearls and rhinestone beading. She wore a tulle skirt that was trimmed in a braided border. The hemline was beads, rhinestones and pearls.

It had a 6-foot long train. Johnson’s wedding color was black. “I wanted a black-tie wedding, I love the color black. I love the way it dresses up and I love the way our people look in black and the formalness of it,” Johnson said. Johnson said Stovall proposed to her in front of 125 guests and they had invited more than 500 guests to the wedding. Songsters Angela Evans and Jose Reed sang “Let Your Glory Fill This House,” “The

Lord’s Prayer,” and “Speak To My Heart. The bride and bridgroom said, “We would like to say Thank You.’ Thank you for your friendship, Thank you for your love. In this world of uncertainty, we discovered one another. Different, yet alike, we chose to unite our lives as husband and wife.”We ask that you continue to pray for our growth in love and understanding. To our parents & siblings, only you know just how much you have supported us, individually and

collectively. “We thank you God for all of you, your guidance, and the precious gift of your love.” Presiding over the ceremony were the Rev. Karen S. Lang and the Rev. P. David Saunders. The Scriptures were read from Genesis 2:18-25 and 1 Corinthian 13:4-8, and 13. Johnson is the daughter of Jerome T. and JoAnne Johnson. Stovall is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon J. Ferguson. Johnson is a Ball State

University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and speech communications. She is an event planner for national and international honor students. Stovall is a May 1996 graduate of Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He works for Lowe’s. The newly-weds live in Washington D. C.

Smithsonian display honors one of country’s first black photographers

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery will reintroduce one of America’s first black photographers to the public with the exhibition” A Durable Memento:Portraits by Augustus Washington, African American daguerreotypist,” which is on view through Jan. 2, 2000. The exhibition tells, for the first time, the remarkable story of Augustus Washington’s (1820/21-1875)

life as a free black in the antebellum North; as a portrait photographer and owner of one of the first and most successful studios in Hartford, Conn.; and as a planter, politician and newspaper editor in the West African nation of Liberia, after his immigration in 1853. Ann Shumard, assistant curator of photographs and curator of the exhibition, said, “The Portrait Gallery’s interest

in Augustus Washington was sparked by our 1996 acquisition of Washington’s riveting portrait of abolitionist John Brown.” Made around 1847, it is the earliest known portrait pf Brown and the centerpiece of the exhibition. “Before we began working on the show we knew little about Washington, but additional research revealed a life full of adventure and

accomplishment, more exciting than many novels,” Shumard said. The exhibition includes 33 images, most on public view for the first time. Only 49 daguerreotypes by or attributed to Washington have been located. Among the lenders are the Amistad Collection of the Wadsworth Atheneum and the Connecticut Historical Society', both of Hartford; the Schomburg Center for

Research in Black Culture of the New York Public Library; the Library of Congress and several private collectors. After closing at the Portrait Gallery, “A Durable Memento” will be on view at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford from Jan. 24 through May 2, 2000, and at the International Center of Photography in New York City from June 25 through Aug. 27, 2000.