Excerpts from original article “COCA presents Indelible Marks- Works by artists and educators Leon “Uncle Junior” Hicks and Amos Lawrence Lewis, Sr.” Written by: Amanda Karioth Thompson (FSU BS Art Education 2004/MS Art Education 2005)

During Reconstruction, African-Americans saw education as an essential step towards achieving equality and independence. It was Black teachers, many of whom were formerly enslaved, who laid the foundations for public education throughout the South. They created the nation’s first public schools and Black colleges, which often emphasized the training of Black teachers.

Though America still struggles with issues relating to fair and equal education, many individuals have dedicated their careers to nurturing minds and supporting curiosity in all areas of study, including art. Two local examples are Leon “Uncle Junior” Hicks and Amos Lawrence Lewis, Sr., both extraordinary artists and educators. Read more about Hicks in the full article at tallahassee.com. 

About Amos Lewis

Amos Lewis (FSU MS Art Education 1980) was devoted to education and he considered the creation of art to be, not a job or a hobby, but a duty. Lewis believed all individuals have the capacity for meaningful art making, regardless of age, race, or ability.

He was born in Pensacola in 1927 and he earned a bachelor’s degree from FAMU and a master’s degree in art education from FSU. Lewis taught in the FAMU art department and went on to teach art at FAMU’s Developmental Research School for 25 years. He also served as an art instructor and consultant for the Senior Citizens Society.

He encouraged his students, both young and old, to use art as a method for self-expression, to uplift others, and serve their community. He was a celebrated art educator, recognized with many awards including several from the NAACP on local, state, and national levels.

Lewis was also recognized as an accomplished artist. Though he died in 1995, during his life, Lewis explored a variety of media and techniques including ceramics, painting, printmaking, collage, and mixed media sculptural works. His art reflects a broad range of emotions and involves themes like optimism, triumph, acceptance, regret, and hope.

About the Exhibit

For these men, teaching was never simply a career, it was part of a larger mission. By supporting young artists in their creative and scholarly pursuits, they are part of a lineage of learning. Together, Hicks and Lewis have left an indelible mark through their art and the knowledge they’ve bestowed to thousands of emerging artists.

More than 50 engravings, paintings, drawings, collages, ceramics, and mixed media pieces can be seen until April 11, 2022 in person at the City Hall Art Gallery or virtually in COCA’s Online Gallery at cocaonlinegallery.zenfolio.com.

Special thanks to Venvi Gallery for curatorial assistance and the loan of artworks by Leon Hicks. Special thanks also to Maggie B. Lewis-Butler, former teacher, Leon County School Board member, and widow of Amos Lewis and their daughters Resha Lewis Gadson and Amy Lewis Pittman for their loan of artworks by Amos Lewis.

The City Hall Gallery is located at 300 South Adams Street, second floor lobby of Tallahassee’s City Hall. The show will remain there until April 11, 2022. It is free to the public and open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To comply with current health and safety practices, all gallery goers must be masked while in the building and practice social distancing. Parking is available in Kleman Plaza.

This one of a dozen exhibitions curated by COCA and is part of the City of Tallahassee’s Art in Public Places program. For more information about this exhibition, upcoming exhibitions, or the Art in Public Places program, contact Amanda Karioth Thompson at amanda@tallahasseearts.org.

About COCA:

The Council on Culture & Arts is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for development and support of arts and culture in Florida’s capital region. For more information about the Public Art Program, or other programs that COCA provides, please visit www.tallahasseearts.org or call 850-224-2500 or email info@tallahasseearts.org.

Article courtesy of FSU News, written by Anna Prentiss.

Mental health issues are a continuing concern among youth and families, especially with the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s why Florida State University’s Art Therapy Program is bringing together art therapy professionals during the international conference, “The Learning from COVID-19 Experiences Project,” where they can exchange techniques and methods for building resilience as well as showcase their artwork created during the pandemic.

FSU Art Therapy partnered with the National Association for the Development of Art Therapy Science and Practice ‘Art Therapy Association’ of Russia to present the conference, which will unite mental health professionals, educators and students and provide a space for positive dialogue and networking opportunities.

“Engaging with art can release stress, build positive energy and support family and social connections,” said Barbara Parker-Bell, professor in the FSU Department of Art Education and director of the project. “Through this project, we hope to give families creative tools that will enhance their ability to bounce back from stress toward their valued life goals.”

The conference will include professional networking sessions and live and pre-recorded presentations that address art therapy methods and techniques professionals use to support youth and families through difficult times.

Featured speakers include Liudmila Lebedeva, professor and vice-rector for Research and International Cooperation at Moscow’s Metropolitan Institute of Professional Education, and Robert A. Neimeyer, the director of the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition and psychology professor emeritus at the University of Memphis.

“In overcoming the long-term consequences of pandemic stress, the consolidation and exchange of experience of specialists from different countries is of particular importance,” Lebedeva said. “For the first time, this opportunity is being opened up by the unique project.”

Along with the professional conference, the public may also participate by attending exhibitions and art-making events.

Artwork and statements by American and Russian art therapy professionals that reflect on experiences and creative responses to the pandemic will be on display from Feb. 14 to March 10 at FSU’s William Johnston Building Gallery, as well in the cities of Volgograd and Samara in Russia. The project’s website will host a virtual exhibition beginning Feb. 3. Community members are invited to participate in the project’s art-making events at the William Johnston Building Gallery on Feb. 19 and March 5th.

“While these professionals provided art therapy education or art therapy services during this challenging time, they also engaged in art-making,” Parker-Bell said. “Their artworks reflect upon pandemic losses, reduced social connectedness, altered home, teaching and therapy environments, but also reflect upon the joy of daily experiences, dreams for the future, and forged connections with nature.”

The conference is free and open to art therapists, mental health professionals, students of art therapy and mental health professions, educators and others who serve communities, families and youth around the world. Organizers expect participants from Belgium, Belarus, Cyprus, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, India, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Qatar, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.

“We believe that these events will elevate the profession of art therapy, expand positive Russian and United States dialogues and provide creative art-viewing and art-making opportunities to youth and families that will bolster their resilience during pandemic times,” Parker-Bell said.

The deadline to register for the conference is Thursday, Jan. 27.

To learn more about the project, please visit  https://covidartlearning.fsu.edu/.