DEDICATORS HONOR THREE OUTSTANDING ARTISTS Article and Photos

THE DEDICATORS HONOR THREE OUTSTANDING ARTISTS
Article and Photos © Kwame Brathwaite

By the young age of twenty, Sarah Anesta Pond, the fifth of twelve children went into business for herself, opening the first of what would become a chain of beauty parlors in her native Panama. She married fellow Panamanian Henry Samuel, and in the early 1950s migrated to the United States.

Their Brooklyn home was a beacon and “holding pad” of sorts for other family members and Panamanians who came to the states. She helped other family members to get an education and create a better life for themselves. Along with some of these friends, Anesta, seeking to assist other young people coming to the U.S., in the quest to get a better education, formed a group to raise funds for scholarships. That group, formed in 1953, was Las Servidoras, which later became The Dedicators. She led that group for 51 years, until her death in August last year. Among those founding members who are still among the Dedicators are Grace Y. Ingleton, Velma Armstrong, Jane “Shirley” Isaac, and Ruthwin Samuel.

Over the past 52 years, the Dedicators have awarded over one million dollars in scholarships to young people who are now prominent contributors in every walk of life. The first scholarship granted was to a young Panamanian immigrant, Robert Reid, who went on to become Chief Urologist at Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx.

For the past 10 years, one of the main fundraising events has been their annual “Celebration of Black Artists Luncheon and Art Sale”. This 10th anniversary event at Brooklyn’s Grand Prospect Hall honored four outstanding artists - three honorees over the age of 50, and one young artist. This years awardees were, former Professor of Art at Western Michigan University and one of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s most well-known artists 84 year-old Reginald A. Gammon; children’s book illustrator, visual artist, and Professor of art at Nassau Community college, Robert Carter; art collector, curator and attorney Valerie Pilgrim Bell-Bey and in the “young artist” category, former apprentice of famed Afro-centric muralist Jon Onye Lockard (National Conference of Artist Board member), collagist, painter, stained glass artist and Rhode Island School of Design graduate, who has commissions that include the New York Transit Authority, New York’s City Parks Foundation, Met Life and Brooklyn’s St. Phillips Episcopal Church, Jimmy James Greene.

The engine that runs The Dedicators, and luncheon chairperson, Mrs. Grace Y. Ingleton, who is also a active member of the Links, stated, “ I am delighted to welcome you to the Tenth Annual Celebration of Black Artists event. This year is particularly poignant as it draws us all back to the first year and the reasons why we undertook this venture. The Annual Celebration of Black Artists had its genesis in three critical areas. First, as everyone who knows me will attest, I hold a deep and resonant appreciation for black art which reverberates throughout every wall, nook and cranny of my home. Second, our black artists do not always receive the exposure and recognition that they are so worthy of for the spirit soaring life-enriching work that they do. Consequently, the annual celebration event became a way for the Dedicators, Inc. to bestow honor on our artists for their good works while they are still with us and able to enjoy those accolades. Last, and by no means least, this annual event has allowed the Dedicators, Inc. an opportunity to raise monies for our scholarship fund, which provides financial support to college student across the country.

“In the years between the first event and this tenth annual celebration, we have been through many evolutions and through it all the celebration continues to improve. This year we are please to add two new genres: curator and artist under 50 to our categories of honorees. These changes are part of our ongoing efforts to add to the quality of the celebration and to showcase the fine work being done among the outstanding and talented people who are working and interested in the arena of Black art.”

Ingleton continues, “ As always, we remain deeply appreciative of the artists who accept our invitation to participate in this event with us, year after year, and to all the newcomers as well. In addition, we are intensely gratified that this Celebration of Black Artists continues to provide for the tenth year, an important “door to Black art” that our community can walk through to experience the greatness, the talent, indeed the best about ourselves.”

Besides the luncheon ticket sales, a portion of the sale of art donated by more than forty artists, went to the scholarship fund. Among the contributing artists were, Benny Andrews, Ellsworth Ausby, James Beacon, Joseph Bell-Bey (husband of Valerie), Creighton Berry, Betty Blayton-Taylor, Kwame Brathwaite, Arthur Coppedge, Adger Cowans, Ernest Crichlow, Louis, Delsarte, James Denmark, Teddy Gunn, MLJ Johnson, Charlotte Ka, Arturo Lindsay, Edward Martin, Karl McIntosh, Carlton Murrell, Otto Neals, Ademola Olugebefola, Faith Ringgold, Ernani Silva, Beuford Smith, Victor Smythe, Ann Tanksley, Emmett Wigglesworth and many other renowned and emerging artists.

Benny Andrews, who also spoke on behalf of the artists, accepted the award for Gammon who was too ill to attend. Regrettably, Reggie passed about ten days later.

The exhibition curators were Jamaican born portrait artist Donovan Nelson who, received his Masters of Fine Arts degree from the New York Academy of Art, teaches art in a Brooklyn High School, and exhibits extensively and has commissions to paint murals in the U.S. Caribbean, the Netherlands in Europe; and attorney and art collector Shaunna D. Jones, Esq., associate in the Business Reorganization and Restructuring department of Willkie Farr & Gallagher (former Governor Mario Cuomo is a partner with that law firm) and also a member of the Links, who are very active in promoting Black art events.