The Shellof Vitus

  Mural celebrates Indianola BY RECARDO THOMAS for Enterprise-Tocsin 12/10/2015 The community has begun to paint a picture of unity in more ways than one. Delta Health Alliance/Indianola Promise Community, the city of Indianola, the Roosevelt Community Association and individuals from across the city gathered on Saturday to engage in what Delta Health Alliance calls “one of the biggest projects we have undertaken since the playground build, at the Bethune Center, a few years ago.” IPC contracted with urban artist Vitus Shell to design and create two full-color, 9-foot-by-25-foot murals on the exterior walls of the city swimming pool on Roosevelt Street. “It’s all part of the restoration and beautification project we’ve begun with the city,” Anthony Powell, IPC project manager/community relations, said. The design on the east wall features the words “Indianola” and “Mississippi” along with other symbols of the Delta including musical notes, a bayou scene and a Magnolia blossom.

 

 

SAMO Journey is a visual and psychological exploration of the dichotomy of progress pitted against the status quo of both people and place in an ever-changing New Orleans, nation and world. The struggle becomes glaringly evident when examining racial inequities and the imbalance that pervades class, education and neighborhoods. From Reconstruction to now, a social climate persists, where the ascension of blacks into the upper rungs of leadership is as common as the assassination of blacks on the street–the new lynching. SAMO Journey seeks to uncover the warring ideals of progress and sameness using “man against man”, “man against nature”, and “man against self” and “man against society.” These motifs, that are the common pillars of literature, also refer to Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work that explored “suggestive dichotomies”, including wealth versus poverty, integration against segregation, and inner versus outer experience. -L. Kasimu Harris

  Hundreds Soared in Solidarity with SpiralQ at our 16th annual Peoplehood Parade We at Spiral Q are still in awe of the beauty, magic and power that October 24th's Peoplehood Parade wrought. From The Paul Robeson House at 50th and Walnut Streets all the way to Clark Park at 45th and Kingsessing Avenue, nearly 500 people - friends old and new, activists, artists, community residents, bicyclists and more - showed up for justice, and weaving our moving tribute to the movement for Black lives through the streets of West Philadelphia. This year, our signature pageant was in the parade and, we have to say, there was something extraspecial about it. Spiral Q artists curated 5 themed sections of the parade: In Memoriam; The Shoulders We Stand On; Healing + Reconciliation; Rise + Resist, Defy + Dismantle; and Transcendence. We are grateful to Monroe, LA-based artist Vitus Shell, a dear friend of the Q, who came up to make Peoplehood shine with truth, with powerful original prints, and with...

  Memphis College of Art Announces Water, Bones and Blood: NIA Artist Collective Exhibit MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis College of Art will present the Water, Bones and Blood: NIA Artist Collective Exhibit from Oct. 5–Nov. 1 in the Hyde Gallery of the Nesin Graduate School, 477 S. Main St. An opening reception will be held Friday, Oct. 23 from 5–9 p.m. The exhibit centers around three elements that unify humankind—water, bones and blood. “It goes without saying that we as a society are bombarded with imagery and commentary that are divisive in nature and presentation; politics, economics, sexuality and—probably the most concerning to many members of NIA Artist Collective—race relations,” said NIA spokeswoman Shalishah “Petey” Franklin. The group views this show as an opportunity to present content that affects and impacts all humanity.

  Local artist hopes to make big impact with his work By Kaleb Causey for The News Star August 22, 2015 Photo: MARGARET CROFT For local artist Vitus Shell, art is two different worlds divided by the color of the sky. “During the day, I’m a graphic designer. I do party fliers, business cards, banners and stuff like that,” he said. “And late evenings I usually do the business of being an artist.” What Shell calls the business of being an artist consists of more than just doing his personal art. “I sit down and research grants and I look up proposals,” he said. “A lot of museums, galleries and colleges will put out callings for artists. I put out packages to do shows like that. And I work on my own art at night. I might work until 2 or 3 a.m.” Shell, a Monroe native, has been creating art for as long as he can remember. “I’ve been doing art since I was about three,” he said. “I can remember doing little drawings and all kinds of crazy stuff. In elementary school, one of my teachers ma...