By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus.com

Posted 05-04-09

 

 

The Soul! art exhibit at the Ohio Historical Center has created a number of expectations for the works on loan from the Ohio Historical Society's National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce.

 

William Billingsley and Esther Williams of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center hope that once people sample the Soul! exhibit they will make the 45-minute drive from Columbus to see more.

 

"This started off as a suggestion a year ago, but now it has come to fruition," said Billingsley, acting director of the Afro-American Museum.

 

Some see as a way to provide easy access to the 120-piece exhibit on 17th Avenue for central Ohioans who might not visit the location in the southwest part of the state.

 

"It's a wonderful opportunity for people who are challenge for travel," said Catherine Willis, program director of Friends of Art for Community Enrichment.

 

FACE, one of several local arts organizations represented at the opening, is encouraging teachers and churches to see that young people attend the exhibit and is underwriting part of the program to facilitate their participation.

 

Jerry Revish, news anchor at WBNS-10TV, emceed the program, which included comments from Gov. Ted Strickland, First Lady Frances Strickland, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and William K Laidlaw Jr., executive director and chief executive officer of the historical center.

 

Ohio has produced a wealth of African-American artists whose voices greatly enhanced the Civil Rights Movement.

 

The governor pointed to an article in Money magazine that identifies the Short North as one of the best neighborhoods in the country to retire, with the arts as a basis for such a ranking.

Mayor Coleman suggested that another arts hotspot is in the offing on the Near East Side, anchored by the King Arts Complex and the soon-to-open Lincoln Theatre.

 

Ohio artists represented in the exhibit include Elijah Pierce and Willis "Bing" Davis, who was presented at Saturday's opening. Davis of Dayton and local artist Queen Brooks are among those who will conduct educational programs at The Studio, an area next to Soul!

 

Rotating exhibits will complement the main one throughout Soul's run through Feb. 28, 2010. Ones in place now are Making Music: Jazz Photographs and Golden Motion: Celebrating he Art of Dance.

 

Tariq Tarey, project manager for the Somali Domentary Project, said he regards the inclusion of his photographs validates Somalis who have settled in this country as African-Americans, not merely Africans.

 

In addition to visual arts, visitors at the opening were treated to performances by Spirit Song, the Fort Hayes Jazz Band, Urban Strings; Tony and Aziza West; the St. Philip Lutheran Gospel Choir and the Columbus State Community College Gospel Vocal Ensemble.