The Guardian

ART EXHIBIT
IN ROXBURY

By Casey

The Interclub Council of the Robert Gould Shaw House, annual history program, art exhibit and tea last Sunday to an overflow audience.

Coordinator of the successful event was versatile James W. Henderson who told of the great part that people of color have played in the culture of America.

Appearing in an interpretation of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" were Beverly Watson,

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Cheryl Covan, Beverly Mayfield and Marie Bembery pupils of Mrs. Ethel Covan who gracefully wafted about the stage in angelic white robes.
The Shaw House Chorus directed by Darnley Leon Corbin sang "Sinner Please Don't Let This Harvest Pass," "Poor Wayfaring Stranger," and "Rock-a-my-Soul." Three pupils from the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, Angela Bowen, Ramona Balfour and Janet Haynes did a splendid rhythmic interpretation of the latter two songs with vocal soloists Maybelle Bacon, Lydia Kennedy and Charles T. Cook. Both Miss Lewis and Mrs. Covan were present throughout the program.
Morris R. Taylor, Headworker sparked the second part of the program with appropriate remarks.
Highlights of the afternoon was the original play, "Call to the Whippoorwill," depicting episodes in the life of Harriet Tubman the "Moses" of her people, by M. Aldon Morris, successful author, playwright, stage and radio actor and director. The youthful author received an ovation at the completion of his play which was directed by Corbin.
The play, exceptional from beginning to end was a poignant mixture of pathos and humor.
Cynthia Belgrave Jones was Harriet Tubman with dignity, sensitivity and vigor and received excellent support from Helen Norton Powell as Rachel; James W. Henderson irascible Ben; the inimitable Vernon S. Blackman as Luke and youngster Charles Paige to whom "Moses" said in warning, "Just call like the Whippoorwill and I'll come. Eugene A. Andrews did the clever sound effects.
After the formal program, Tea was served by Inter-Club Council Members and guests viewed a spectacular exhibit of paintings, prints, copper and ceramic art. A splendid oil titled "To be or not to be . . " done by Georgina Russell Hill of Bermuda was sent especially for the exhibit. It was the portrait of a young, handsome, honey-colored man who seemed to be alive with his casual manner and relaxed hand. It held the attention of all next to that given the work of artist J. Graham. Mrs. Hill is the wife of the Hon. Hilton Hill, Member of Parliament in Bermuda. Talent inherited from her artist grandmother Georgianna Smith Grant was pointed up with training at the Massachusetts School of Art. Her painting has been exhibited in Chicago and at Paine's. She is daughter of Dr. Alfred Russell and sister of Miss Inez J. Russell, Boston School teacher.
A painting that also held the viewers spellbound to the gallery was a Japanese motif by J. Graham of Boston who paints in an original medium, titled Japanese Landscape No. 2 a work that was hung in the Public Garden Show. The number of tones used in his work is unbelievable.
Attracting considerable attention was the copper artwork of Joanelle Wright; "Sprites in the Night" by Joanelle Bryant; pencil sketches including one of Ralph Bunche by Louise Monroe, prints by Cynthia Belgrave Jones and by special request Ruth Davis' "Brown Baby."
Mrs. Davis also included another oil. "Bachelor's Summer Cabin." Walter Reed entered a crowd pleaser titled "Alley Scene" complete with two alley cats. Calvin Burnett's "Self Portrait" on the fifth dynamic, an oil on canvas was the most unique piece in the showing. Clever Vincent Sinclair showed a fetching ballerina in oils. Gertrude E. Smith did "Potted Geranium" and "Dunes to the Sea"; Katherine Watson Coleman showed water colors "Parsonage Pond" and "Pier at Oak Bluffs" pieces which evoked much comment;
Dorothy Burrows of Cambridge, wife of the Asst. U. S. District Attorney entered a study of a young man in conté crayon. On loan from the Hyde School pupil Jose Davis of Grade 8 was "The Pirate"; J. Dumont's realistic portrait of Dr. T. E. A. McCurdy; Georgianna Powell showed "The Workman" in poster colors and Vernon McCoy, 19 years old, a colorful "River Scene."
Desverney Heyward was coordinator of the Art Exhibit in cooperation with Shaw House Staff members. Mrs. Marion Kingman of the South End Branch Public Library was in charge of the Book Table containing materials by and about colored people. Book lists were distributed. Raymond Elliott ceramics instructor of the Robert Gould Shaw House displayed the latest in ceramic art. Piano accompanist for the occasion was Shirley Jones of W. Medford.