My title, Aretha in Living Color, was inspired by the NBC TV network's opening logo featuring a peacock with rainbow feathers. A voice would say “The following program is brought to you in living color.” Aretha is shown singing on stage with microphone in hand. The rectangular shape of the canvas harkens back to the old Magnavox TV set in my home. A bright yellow highlight circles her hair like a halo. The green and blue shadows in her cheeks and neck add unity. Light shines on her face as if beaming down from heaven or really good stage lighting. The expression on her face captures the moment when Aretha asserts her power and passion. This vital quality in her music was rooted in her gospel music training. It’s worth noting that soul music is a combination of gospel, rhythm & blues and jazz. She learned from them and applied them in her music. I loved the way she expressed joy, sadness or love so that it resonated with you personally.
You suspected she was channeling her own pain and joy. This was true whether she was singing of her faith in Amazing Grace (1972), the morning after bliss in Natural Woman (1967) or a lover betrayed in Chain of Fools (1968). It seemed like some kind of alchemy or perhaps divine inspiration. Aretha in Living Color conveys energy and joy overcoming pain and sorrow. Block letters float behind her in the background rendered in a rainbow of warm color graduations flowing from top to bottom. Red transitions into yellow, yellow into orange... contrasting with a background of blue, red and purple hues. This was inspired by concert poster art from the 1960s. The block letters spell out the lyrics to Aretha's signature song, Respect 1967. In that song, Aretha boldly declares her self worthy as a woman of color. She is proud, confident and frank in her sexuality. Aretha demands respect from her lover precisely because she knows her own self-worth. This message became a
Adrian A Wright, Aretha in Living Color, (image courtesy of the artist)
declaration not only for women of color but all women and beyond that a unifying message to all those who have been denied dignity and respect.
CULTIVATING THE CREATIVE SIDE OF ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES By Jennifer Beidle
COMMENTARY
There is no question that art can evoke a variety of feelings and emotions, both in the artist and in their audience. But for an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD), learning how to make a brush stroke, mix paints, focus a camera and see the world through the eye of an artist can have a profound effect on their emotional, cognitive and social development.
original paintings and photographs created by clients in their Mentor Arts program. For the third consecutive year, the event will again be held at EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery in Chesterfield, MO where event attendees are treated to appetizers and wine and can purchase original artwork by Willows Way’s clients. The artists receive 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the art.
Willows Way, a non-profit organization based in St. Charles, MO, promotes independence and personal growth in adults with I/DD through a variety of social-service programs, which include its Mentor Arts program.
Willows Way started the Mentor Arts program five years ago. Participants in the painting class learn from an experienced art teacher how to select subject matter, mix paints and use different brush strokes to create their artwork.
"The Mentor Arts program, which includes a painting class and photography club, benefit our clients in a variety of ways," attests Willows Way Executive Director Joy Steele. "We often see our clients become more relaxed, confident and focused while participating in these programs. Plus, it gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment when they see that they can create something through their own efforts from start to finish.”
Participants in the photography club meet regularly and participate in monthly photo shoot outings throughout the St. Charles and St. Louis areas. In the past, the photography club has visited the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, The Butterfly House, Soulard Market, Saint Louis Zoo, National Museum of Transportation, Main Street in St. Charles and a firehouse. Professional photographers volunteer their time to mentor the clients and chaperone their photo shoots.
For the past five years, Willows Way has held its Art of Wine fundraising event to showcase
23 ALLTHEARTSTL.COM WINTER 2018/19
Kathy Curry has been a volunteer mentor in Willows Way’s photography club for the past five years. Club mentors teach participants how to focus on a subject, the proper way to hold a camera and how to take a photo from different angles. Curry finds that clients really like going out on their monthly adventures. “They get very excited when we spend time getting together to let them pick out their best and most cherished photos for the Art of Wine event. It is great to hear them remember where and why each photo was taken.” Lori Biehl, another mentor in the photography club, describes photography club members as one big happy family, and delights in the personal progress the clients make through the program. Biehl finds that “their social interaction, not only with the mentors but with others seems to always be improving. The members are a happy group of people and sometimes help remind us that we can find joy in the smallest of things,”
www.willowsway.org COMMENTARY
