 Barbara Wesson |
On Saturday, November 8, 2003 at 11:00 AM, The Center for the Arts of the African
Diaspora, Inc. (CAAD, Inc.) presented the First Annual "Samella" Award to Ms. Barbara Wesson, visual
artist and founder of the Bunker Hills Art League and the Artists' Salute to Black History Month.
Ms. Wesson, a native of California who resides in Atlanta, Georgia, will be distinguished as the
first recipient of the "Samella." The awards luncheon was held at the Kayne-ERAS Center
located at 5350 Machado Road in Culver City. |
The only woman and only African-American artist on tour, Ms. Wesson realized that art has no racial boundaries. The tour gave her even more courage not to shelter her art or limit its viewing audience. She continued to participate with World Art Tours on and off for ten years.
It was in the late 70's that Barbara realized that what she had learned on her professional tour should be shared with other minority artists and in this consciousness she founded Bunker Hills Art League. Through this art association and with the assistance of volunteers she presented seminars, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, a monthly newsletter and monthly membership meetings for over 300 members.
In 1980, Barbara founded the Artists' Salute to Black History Month. This exhibition was established to provide a major showcase, support and national exposure for prominent and emerging artists. In February 1981, fifteen artists participated in the first Artists' Salute' at Fox Hills Mall in Culver City. For the next fifteen years, and two malls later, the artists participation grew to well over 100, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. The juried exhibitions included legend artists, in addition to prominent, emerging, and beginning artists.
CAAD, Inc. applauds Dr. Lewis for her outstanding achievements and the monumental gift of her legacy to the field of African-American art and art of the African Diaspora; and to Ms. Wesson for her unselfish commitment to promoting major showcases, support and national exposure for her fellow prominent and emerging artists.
BARBARA WESSON
Barbara Wesson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She did her first painting in 1969. She was inspired to paint while wandering through a department store where she purchased "a little beginner's oil set." After painting with all the intensity she could summon for two weeks she surveyed her finished product and liking what she saw headed for an open air market on La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California. Without showing the owner, Joseph Ochs her work, she literally talked him into giving her a space. Later when she arrived Ochs took one look at her efforts and put her well out of sight at the back of the lot. Charmed he may have been by her personally but he was running a business and who would buy these uncrafted daubs? As it turned out just about everybody! Celebrities like Burt Reynolds, Billy Dee Williams, Polly Bergen, Billy Eckstein and Mel Blanc added her work to their collections. Her sales were steady and profitable. Her technique improved but she never compromised her simplicity of style nor her God given sense of color that leaps out of everything she puts her brush to. Who could resist her wonderful children wandering through fields of flowers, as though through heaven itself, nor the women of color exuding sensuality, pride and serenity. Let other artists procreate the pain of the times, Barbara chose instead to create art that would build bridges of understanding.
Two years later she accepted another challenge in joining World Art Tours. Promoted by Don and Jo Palmer she joined 50 professional artists that exhibited and sold their art throughout the world. It was a real test. Could she compete with much more experienced artists and even more threatening could she handle the shadow of prejudice she might encounter in rural districts and middle class suburbia. She remembers her early days on the tour "I mixed acrylics with oils. It would rubberize. But experience is a good teacher. My art is my own. There are no other influences." The Palmer's realized her desire to be an artist and respected her still undeveloped talent. The Palmers supported her for two years until her work started selling and she became on of their top artists.
Barbara was the only woman and the only African-American artist on tour. It was on this tour that she realized that art has no racial boundaries. The tour gave her even more courage not to shelter her art or limit its viewing audience. Barbara remained with World Art Tours on and off for ten years.
In Los Angeles, art collectors Frankie Marx and Tina DiStefano suggested it was time for a solo exhibition on home ground. This was the first of many successful home shows that became Barbara's main stay during the late 70's and early 80's. Her next step was to begin distributing prints of her art by starting a thriving mail order business. This introduced her work to galleries, card shops and gift stores throughout the world. Finally, Barbara began relinquishing her role as a "street artist" and started accepting and seeking gallery exhibitions. In Atlanta she has had exhibitions at her home gallery, Barbara Wesson Studios, the L & V Gallery and Mahogany Gallery. In California her exhibitions have included: Third World Art Exchange, Los Angeles, Gallery Plus, Los Angeles, Carole Joyce Gallery, North Hollywood, Southwest College, Los Angeles, Kohl Gallery, Upland, Elysian Fields Art Gallery, Inglewood, Seaside City Hall Art Gallery, Monterey, William Grant Still Art Center, Los Angeles, Black Gallery, Los Angeles and Art 2000 Gallery in Moreno Valley. Her exhibits throughout the United States and foreign countries include: the Wharf Gallery, Vancouver, Canada, Langland Gallery, London, England and the Amour J. Blackburn University Center Gallery in Washington, D.C.
It was in the late 70's that Barbara realized that what she had learned on her professional tour should be shared with other minority artists and in this consciousness she founded Bunker Hills Art League. Through this art association and with the assistance of volunteers she presented seminars, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, a monthly newsletter and monthly membership meetings for over 300 members.
In 1980, Barbara founded the Artists' Salute to Black History Month. This exhibition was established to provide a major showcase, support and national exposure for prominent and emerging artists
In February of 1981, fifteen artists participated in the first Artists' Salute at Fox Hills Mall in Culver City. For the next fifteen years, with the creative input and assistance of a fabulous Planning Committee, the Artists' Salute drew hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. Along with an exhibition of over 100 artists, the Artists' Salute presented stimulating and informative seminars and workshops. Well-known artists such as Ernie Barnes, Charles Bibbs, Varnette Honeywood, Synthia Saint James, Brenda Joysmith, Frank Frazier, Charles Dickson, Paul Goodnight, Annie Lee and Joseph Holston participated in this exhibition as well as emerging and beginning artists.
In conjunction with the Artists' Salute an exhibition titled "Legends" was introduced. This exhibition featured legendary artists and their works. Artists such as Elizabeth Catlett, Francisco Mora, Jacob Lawrence, Gwendolyn Knight, William Pajaud, Benny Andrews, Samella Lewis, Noah Purifoy, Ruth Waddy, Claude Clark, Artis Lane and John Biggers visited this exhibition and spoke with the many patrons attending. The Artists' Salute was held for fifteen years and was presented at the Fox Hills Mall, the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and the Plaza Pasadena.
Throughout the years her awards and commendations have been as important to her as the hundreds of paintings that she has created.
In Los Angeles she has been recognized by former Mayor Tom Bradley, Senator Diane Watson, Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, YWCA, Association of Black Women Dentists, the Links, Inc., UNICEF, West Los Angeles Community College, National Association for Sickle Cell Disease, Inc. and is an inductee in the John C. Fremont High School Hall of Fame. Former president Bill Clinton has also acknowledged her achievements with an awards presentation.
Wesson's published works are included in: American Visions, Players Magazine,
Soap Opera Digest and New Woman Magazine. In 1989 Barbara was commissioned to create the
1989 National Sickle Cell Month Poster. In California, Barbara has appeared on the television shows:
2 the Point, Weekend Gallery, Frankly Female, In Studio, Friday's at Sunset and Channel 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9
News. Articles have been published on her career in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in Atlanta and
Accent/LA, Los Angeles Sentinel, Wave Newspapers, Larchmont Chronicle, Wilshire Press and American Visions.
Wesson's art is included in the art collections of: Polly Bergen, Mel Blanc, Bill and Susan Hayes, Billy Eckstein, Linda Hopkins, Paul Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Sally Struthers, Redd Foxx, Donna Summers, Natalie Cole, Denise Nicholas, the Southern California Gas Company, Los Angeles and Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles.
Questioned about her success she seldom mentions the hard work, the difficulties of mastering form or competing on every level with those who have been formally taught. Rather she will list the help she received from family, friends and artists who encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Women of every race and color can draw courage and inspiration from her career. Americans all must find hope that it is still possible to attain a goal armed only with the will and a box of paint for beginners.
© 2004 CAAD Inc. All Rights Reserved.