(Oceanside) February 6, 2023 – Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC) is pleased to announce the positive reception by the public of its newest exhibit “Black Perspective: A Celebration of Community, Family & Heritage.” The show, which has been on display since January 12 runs through March 24 at the Brooks Theater Gallery in the lobby of the Sunshine Brooks Theater in Oceanside and can be viewed cost-free.
Thematically aligned with two of the theater’s major events at the beginning of the year, “Black Perspective” complements the performing arts taking place on stage. The first event, “Generational Black Pioneers: Oceanside Firsts” on February 17 and 18, highlights black leaders who have fought for change in Oceanside. In March, OTC is thrilled to produce the San Diego Premiere of “Chicken & Biscuits,” a feel-good comedy written by black playwright Douglas Lyons and centered around the complex dynamics of a modern black family. Lyons was one of a record-breaking eight black playwrights whose work was on Broadway in 2021, but forced to shutdown due to ongoing Covid cases.
Featuring 29 artists“Black Perspective” features the works of 12 artists who are showing at the Brooks Theater Gallery for the first time including 17-year-old Brooklyn Burroughs. “Honestly, my grandma told me that the Brooks Theater was doing an exhibition, and told me that I should submit,” said Burroughs. “I looked into the details and just decided to go for it. I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be, because at my art school; we have to do juries and present our portfolios every year. It felt a little intimidating to submit I can admit, because I didn’t expect for my artwork to get in.”
The exhibition includes a myriad of different styles including portraits, sculptures, nail art, and powerful social justice themes. Of note is Thomasina Ferguson-Howard’s “Gordon Parks,” a stunning assemblage piece featuring little girls in the 1950’s looking at a public park from outside a chain link fence. The artist uses an actual chain link gate – closed when racial injustice is making the headlines; slightly open when there’s hope for change.
Paintings that have already sold include Artist Rhya Cawley’s “The Importance of Books,” which was bought by a publisher who discovered she’s worked with the artist, but has never actually met her. Cawley was inspired by a photo of the first bookmobile made available in 1956 to black neighborhoods in the South. Another piece that sold was Marian Howard’s “Reading, a Shared Experience,“ which included visual language enhanced by the rich words and imagery of her son, poet and songwriter Alfred O. Howard. It was purchased by a couple with triplet girls who have been read to since they were babies. A painting of Rosa Parks by Krista Timberlake is pending sale to a visiting musician from Ohio. Additional sales include “Reflections on Hurricane Katrina” by Don Pallia, and “Tomika’s Village” by John Linthurst.
“The exhibition is a treasure for the eye and the heart,” said gallery curator and OTC Board Member Carol Naegele. “ All are welcome to come and see the ‘Black Perspective.’”
The Brooks Theater Gallery is located in the lobby of the historic Sunshine Brooks Theater in the heart of Oceanside’s Cultural District. With year-round exhibits curated to relate to the themes of Oceanside Theatre Company’s main stage and youth productions, the gallery is seen by art lovers, theater goers, music lovers, tourists, and the Oceanside community. Artist Open Houses for each exhibit offer an opportunity for the public to meet the artists and enjoy the exhibit cost free. The Artist Open Houses, often coinciding with Oceanside’s First Friday Art Walk, include ambient music, an artist-at-work on a new piece, and light refreshments.
CURRENT EXHIBIT DETAILS
Black Perspective: A Celebration of Community, Family & Heritage
Exhibit Dates: January 9 – March 26
The free exhibit is open before and during most main stage events. Call 760-994-5975 to schedule an exhibition tour during the week.
Brooks Theater Gallery at the Sunshine Brooks Theater
217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside
OceansideTheatre.org/brooks-theater-gallery
* Please note a temporary exhibit of renowned Rock ‘n Roll photography will be on display during the Oceanside International Film Festival February 20-24.
OTC Press Releases
FEATURED ARTISTS
Laurie Batter, “Patience”
Laurie Batter began creating art as a small child. She had the good fortune to have parents who collected art and exposed her early to masters and enrolled her in arts workshops in New Haven, Connecticut. Now, after many years, and the surprise blessing of the Pandemic, she has rejoiced in having the time, energy and focus to create art every day. “I am inspired by the discovery of beauty in small and great things, exploring each, and revealing myself through each creation.”
About the Piece: This painting is based on a photo taken by photographer Sue Gilbert who traveled numerous times to Kenya and helped create schools for the children. This woman mothered quite a few children, and you could see her patience despite difficult living circumstances. It was a privilege to paint her.
Quincy Brooks, “The Foundation” and “My Brother’s Keeper”
Quincy Brooks, a 29-year-old visionary artist hailing from Southern California, is a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary art world. His journey began as a child, sketching intricate designs on the margins of his notebooks and paper given to him by his mom and dad (who is also an artist). His pieces reflect his deep connection to his family and childhood experiences. With a growing following, Quincy Brooks continues to push boundaries and explore new mediums, poised to leave an indelible mark on the art world.
About “The Foundation”: This is a portrait of my family on my Dad’s side. My Nana (who passed away in 2017) is at the center of the piece and she was also the center of the family. To the left of her is my Auntie Sheryl, on her right is my Auntie Tessie. My Dad is on the left squatting down and next to him is my Uncle Marcel.
About “My Brother’s Keeper”: This is a self-portrait of my older sister and me on the steps of my childhood home. The inspiration behind this piece is that the older that I get, the more I realize my older sister really had my back then and now. I decided to give her a crown because she’s a Queen, I think the people who know her would agree.
Brooklyn Burroughs, “Heart Chakra” and “Cosmic Interlude”
Brooklyn Burroughs is a 17-year-old high school student born and raised in San Diego who attends San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, majoring in visual arts. Her personal experiences and beliefs involving spirituality are reflected through her artwork, as her paintings are reflections of life lessons and knowledge she’s attained and practiced throughout her life. Her passion for art has always been present, whether it’s visual art, dance, or poetry, but her goals as an artist are to either become a tattoo artist and/or art therapist.
About “Heart Chakra”: This piece represents the balance and beauty in love and heartbreak. It reflects the opposition between love and heartbreak, and the beauty that blooms from the lessons that heartbreak forces one to acquire. The heart Chakra and the color green are the focal points in the background for this reason.
About “Cosmic Interlude”: This piece depicts the higher being referred to as mother universe and it alludes to a higher power that connects us all. The earth is a symbol that represents the remembrance of how small we really are in the grand scheme of the universe, but collective consciousness still connects us all despite that.
Rhya Cawley, “The Importance of Books”
Retired secondary school art teacher Fallbrook Union High School District. B.A. in Art Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College.
About the Piece: In the South during segregation public libraries denied entrance to African Americans. Money was raised to convert old school buses into bookmobiles to bring books to African-American families.
Jackie E Diaz, “What Will Become of My Children?: A Tribute” and “The Wave Runner”
Working under the art moniker j. Elise Diaz, but Jackie to friends, Diaz is a nurse and community educator by trade. She has worked more than 20 years with students of all ages, emphasizing the importance of self-care and personal expression. As an Independent Freelance Artist since 1981, she enjoys providing Art products to various private and community programs. She regularly contributes finished works and group projects to charitable organizations throughout San Diego County.
About “What Will Become of My Children?: A Tribute”: Created at the passing of my sister who loved her children and grandchildren with a whole heart.
About “The Wave Runner”: The Wave Runner piece demonstrates the open-ended creative work I most enjoy. It started with several drops of Chinese Ink. The image at the center of the piece took shape when drops of Isopropyl alcohol were sprayed across the paper. Gesso-acrylic blending provides the impression of powerful waves.
Laurie Forgy, “Azia Hall, 6 Years Old”
Laurie Forgy moved to San Diego County from Orange County in 2006, and has been working in sculpture since 2008. She loves the challenge and excitement of turning a block of emotionless clay into an animal or person with character and feelings. “When I am working, I am looking for that spark of recognition that I see when the piece actually starts to come alive. This is what keeps me coming back to the studio and inspires me the most.”
About the Piece: I was lucky enough to be able to bring my granddaughter into the Lieu d’ Sculpture, (formerly Lynn Forbes Sculpture School) when she was just 4-years-old. It wasn’t until she turned 6 that she developed an interest in sculpting in clay. Although it didn’t become a passion for her, she enjoyed making various animals, By that time, I felt that I knew enough basics to be able to try to sculpt her image. It was a wonderful experience to be able to develop a closer bond with Azia, my first grandchild, and proved to be the first of many modeling jobs for her in the future.
Phaya (aka Phyllis) Gifford, “Spiritual Retreat,” “Slightly Intimidating,” and “A Chance Encounter”
Phaya Gifford is an award-winning artist who works from her studio in Carlsbad. Her works have been shown in multiple galleries throughout Southern California and in private collections throughout the Southwestern states. She finds pleasure in the experimental nature of mixed media combinations and thrives on unfamiliarity. She strives for freedom of expression and experiments to make her work fresh and vivid.
About the Pieces: “My work is very much about the process. I find the image secondary to the art making. In my figurative work I keep the figure very basic. The objective is not to create a replica of the living, but to capture the essence of the living being in color, texture, spirit and warmth. Typically, my people do not have facial details. To me, suggestion is more powerful than reality. I paint with intuition and instinct – rarely a preconceived plan. The mood and background emerge as the work progresses.” The goal is to create paintings that are challenging and provocative in hopes that the viewer is moved to imagine their own story. My work is the dialogue among my imagination, my curiosity, my experimentation, my imperfections, and my desire to tell the tale of womanhood.”
Annie Elizabeth Kilgore, “Miles in Paris”
“There is no purer “In the Moment” event than when an artist is in that place where the creation sings. How I connect to that message, that emotion, or the scene and the influence it has on my working through my choices of how I want to represent it, is the essence of what I do and, if I am doing this right, the viewer will have a similar experience. My artistic expression is deeply seated with these relationships and the emotion that is achieved by my compositions. It is this relationship of form and color with which I strive, in my composition, to create something that touches the viewer.”
About the Piece: Created after watching a video of Miles Davis in Paris
Domonique A King (D A King), “Good Crip” and “You Don’t Know Baby D”
Domonique Angelia King grew up in San Diego. At an early age Domonique was exposed to all art forms from her family, which eventually led her to enroll in a performing arts school where she majored in Music Instrumentation and Theory. She explored many genres of art, which led to her mastery of fiber art. “My art has many names but I prefer to call it Yarn Art. I love to use yarn because of its thick and bold presence. Usually with a limited color pallet, it pushes my creativity to achieve my goal. Using nails and wood as the base to signify the rough, hard and cold existence in the Black community, yet the softness, bright colors and flow of the yarn signify the resilience and beauty that comes from such a base.”
About “Good Crip”: “For God so loved the world that he gave us a Good Crip, the late, great, neighborhood Nip. Rest in peace, Cuz!” These were the final words said by Snoop Dogg in his speech at Nips home going celebration and the world holds these same sentiments. Being born and raised in California, I deeply felt the impact of the loss of this human being. I decided to pay homage to the life, the love and the mission he had for the Black community. He set an example that real influencers are the ones that have been through trials, made mistakes, and found the resilience to bounce back and create change. Long Live Nipsey Hussle! The Marathon Continues!
About “You Don’t Know Baby D”
It’s so interesting to create a self-portrait. I had a lot of fun, while also finding myself being very meticulous with this piece. I guess that’s the fabric of the way I live life in general. This creation is a portrait of me as a 6-year-old in the second grade. Fresh human on this earth, I had no idea I would mature and gain a skill that would allow me to pay homage to myself and show the world who this young lady has grown to be. This piece hangs in my home, behind my desk, as a reminder to never give up, always find a way, never let anything stop me, and to love myself through every trial and triumph. If you are a 90s Black culture connoisseur, you’ll recognize the title from a line in the movie “Next Friday”…” You Don’t Know Baby D!”
Elizabeth Man, “Misty Copeland”
Elizabeth Man is a jewelry designer turned sculptor as a fine art major.
Robert McPherson, “Frederick Douglass”
After resigning from the Navy in 1978, Robert McPherson continued to pursue his interest in painting by attending workshops with numerous professional artists. During this period he worked as an administrator at several universities and worked on art projects in his spare time. He also taught a studio oil painting class for 5 years at his last university. He became a full-time artist in 2005 with a lot of help from Ruby, his wife. He now lives in Southern California.
About the Piece: All proceeds will be donated to the NAACP.
Carole Quinn-Nylander, “One Determined Man — Wendell Scott”
Carole Quinn-Nylander moved back to Southern California three years ago after 40 years in Utah. She worked as a court reporter and several other disparate jobs, but always returns to art. “Creating art is my passion!” She shows, sells, and donates art and ephemera in several states. Ephemera and autograph collecting ties in with her art with the historical paper dating back centuries.
About the Piece: Wendell Scott was a highly courageous man who broke racial barriers in NASCAR. Initially denied entry because of his race, he went on to many wins, once being denied a win because they refused to lower the checkered flag. In his early years, he honed his racing skills evading capture by police as a moonshine runner. His sheer determination, skill and hard work eventually earned him much deserved respect and a place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Bonnie Lee Roth, “Henrietta” and “Amari”
As Bonnie Lee and as Branah Layah, she has had a long and successful sculpting career. Her artwork is displayed in over 100,000 homes worldwide, as well as in and on the cover of countless museum catalogs. She has turned to the kaleidoscopic brilliance of watercolors and oils. Being two-dimensional, watercolors and oils allow a different kind of drama to unfold. Their form is naturally more abstract than sculpture, their colors even more brilliant and subtle. Her ideas come from life – from passionate and loving people, from beautiful flowers, from gently flowing rivers and from turbulent politics. “My colors must be bold. They may be complex and intricate and even subtle, but they must be bold. I love the vibrancy of watercolors, their purity, their translucent sense of mystery.”
About “Henrietta”: Henrietta’s expression and red hat tell how much life she has lived. It hasn’t always been easy as you can tell by the lines on her face.
About “Amari”: My Friend Ellie Kahn took the photo of Amari when she visited Africa. She told me how much the women loved to embellish their clothing. I only hope I did her justice.
Eva Shaw, “Cartagena Fruit Seller”
Eva Shaw, Ph.D., is self-taught and came to painting in her sixties, after surviving breast cancer. She’s happiest when encouraging the love of art to those who may not traditionally think that art is for them. “If my art makes someone smile or laugh, I’m honored. That’s my goal.” Dr. Shaw is a much-published author and her most recent books are the Beatrix Patterson mystery series: The Seer, The Finder and The Pursuer. She is a mystery writer, university professor, ghostwriter, avid gardener, passionate volunteer with her church, the community, the American Cancer Society, and other causes; devoted reader; and dog mom to Welsh Terrier, Coco Rose. She lives, thrives and paints in Carlsbad.
About the Piece: The fruit sellers in Columbia captured Shaw’s imagination and inspired this painting after visiting Cartagena.
Gwen Small, “Phenomenal Woman”
Gwen Small began her exploration of digital photography as a means of self-expression. She was inspired to pursue photography as an art form after participating in classes offered by the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in San Diego, California. Her prize- winning work has been shown in local galleries, as well as art auctions at MOPA and the San Diego Art Institute. She brings fresh eyes to even the most mundane subjects. Abstracts—both urban and natural– are her passion. Currently she is exploring the possibilities of double exposure photography and informal portraiture. After recently completing Nicholas Wilton’s intensive Creative Vision Program, she is interested in exploring other media, as well.
About the Piece: The title of the photograph comes from a poem of the same name by Maya Angelou. The face of the woman in the photograph spoke to her of the confident woman described in the poem.
Krista Timberlake, “Alicia Keys,” “Rosa Parks” and “Jimi’s Lyrics”:
Krista Timberlake is a fine artist and graphic designer, originally from Western Massachusetts. After attending UVM for premed and Savannah College of Art and Design, she earned her BFA in painting from UMASS, Amherst. Regarding her drawings, mixed media pieces and paintings, she is intrigued by line, light, texture and color, and is most interested in using watercolor as she loves that it is unpredictable. She works primarily in watercolor, but also loves collage, drawing, mixed media, acrylic and more. She gravitates toward creating human figures and portraits, animals, bicycle-themed and music-themed work, in an organic, dynamic and non-photorealistic manner. By day she’s the Entertainment Designer for The Upper Deck Company.
About “Alicia Keys”: I had a beautiful piece of handmade paper with metallics I wanted to use for her headwrap – the rest of the piece took shape after I glued that down.
About “Rosa Parks”: I wanted to focus on the calm expression on her face- unbelievable that she could be so composed and resolute at such a ground-breaking moment when she must have been so scared.
About “Jimi’s Lyrics”: This piece came from two Inktober word prompts from the 2023 Inktober Challenge I took part in last fall. I’ve always been a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix, so I incorporated lyrics from just two of his amazing songs- Dolly Dagger & Angel.
