|
October
22, 2003
Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu
Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)
| TROY
STATE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS PRESS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 1-334-670-3196 |
| Work
of TSU student from Dothan selected for national art exhibit,
publication Calvin Bell-Tharpe, a junior art education major in the Department of Art and Design at Troy State University, has made his professional debut with an award-winning entry in the 8th Annual Black Heritage Art Show (BHAS). Selected from a national competition sponsored each year by BHAS organizers, Tharpe’s entry, a print entitled “I Have Crossed the Separate Line,” was displayed alongside the works of more than 70 other professional and amateur artists. In addition to being chosen for the show, the piece was one of only 18 exhibits to receive an award, recognized with a certificate of honorable mention. Each of the award winners also received free membership to the BHAS and had their works published in a feature article for the quarterly magazine “Paint.” “I have known Chad for five years and we had been planning this for some time, especially when I found out that Troy State was on the schedule to defeat Virginia at its homecoming,” McDonald said. “Chad is a pretty diehard Cavs fan.” Tharpe, who is from Dothan, attributes the theme of this year’s show, “The Woman in Me,” as the catalyst for his decision to submit “I Have Crossed the Separate Line” to the competition. “At first I was motivated to create something that represented my inheritance. But after finding out the theme of the show…I went through my portfolio and found a piece that seemed to fit that concept and decided to submit it instead,” Tharpe said. Prior to his participation in the BHAS, Tharpe’s exhibiting experience was limited to two appearances in student shows at the Wiregrass Museum of Art, in 1998 and 1999 while still in high school. Tharpe said Pam Allen, an associate professor in the TSU Department of Art and Design, encouraged him to enter the contest. “I actually created the piece in her class,” Tharpe said. “She stresses that being the most talented isn’t the motivation for creating art. It should be about showing emotion, conveying a message.” Tharpe said he had been debating whether or not he should attend law school or an art conservatory after college. “This experience has definitely set my mind on art and the idea my life can evolve around it; it has the power to change people, to share experiences.” The Black Heritage Art Show was founded in 1995 with the purpose of promoting and furthering African American heritage and culture through the visual arts, the BHAS has grown to include poetry readings and gospel and jazz performances. It is traditionally scheduled to coincide with the beginning of February and Black History Month. |