The Naturist Jigsaw Puzzle Exhibit

When:Thursday, November 12, 2009
Time:6pm
Where:Countee Cullen Library Art Gallery
104 West 136th St @ Lenox Ave
Cost:Free

 In the spirit of offering thanks to the land, Barbara Russell aka Ms. B The Doodle Queen demonstrates her curatorial skills by executing an exciting new art exhibition “A Naturist Jigsaw Puzzle” by collectively showcasing the artistic talents of “The Magnificent Ten”: Ladresta Atiba, Sonia Barnett, Brenda Baulkman, Winnie Burch, Stephanie Chisholm, Noel Donaldson, Patricia Cobbs aka PJ Cobbs, Barbara Russell aka Ms. B. The Doodle Queen, and Tony Trenard. Individually they produced pictorial art tales that are Whimsical, Abstract, Figurative, Photographical and Surreal, providing seasonal flavor to Harlem’s’ Contemporary Art Scene. Handcrafted jewelry with contemporary designs that mimic the workmanship quality of colonial days enhances the new art ecosystem which has sprouted from the rich artistic soils of Harlem’s artistic’ glorious past.

At first glance the artists work may look like jigsaw puzzle pieces but when assembled together they form a thriving artistic garden. Ms. B. The Doodle Queen takes on the role of a farmer who has harvested her crops ready to sell a smorgasbord of creativity and imagination to the public for an artistic Thanksgiving meal exclusively at the Countee Cullen Library on 104 West 136th Street and Lenox Ave (2 or 3 train to 135th street around the corner from the Schomberg Center For Research in Black Culture) 10-8 Mon- Fri. 10-5 Sat., and 12-5 Sun. November 10- 30, 2009 For a group visit, make an appointment with Francina Finas to assure your time in the gallery. 212 491-02070.

A Closer Look of “The Magnificent Ten”

“The Magnificent Ten” all tell seasonal truths just like Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863-1930) did with his painting depicting white settlers having dinner with Native Americans in “The First Thanksgiving”. The visual artists provide the color pop of Native American cuisine: beans, corn, squash, pumpkin, tomatoes, and peppers to illustrate their rich vibrant vitamin enriched work. The craftswomen dazzles us with faux sparkle bling like that of English or Spanish monarchies alongside the earthiness of the Native Americans by providing complex contrasts of beautiful natural beaded bracelets, earrings, and necklaces that are all for sale as well as the art work when the exhibition is over.

As a special bonus , “The Magnificent Ten” communally collaborated on one visual art piece named “Uptown Surroundings” which infuses their love for life and community. You may thank of this new work as an artistic Thanksgiving dessert. It is rich with the color intensity of sweet blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries. I hear they have enough artistic food for you to have a second serving. You can meet “The Magnificent Ten” in person, during an art reception and talk held on November 12, 2009.