Leroy's Art Blog

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, by Leroy, oil on canvas  48x36"

Now that all the pictures I needed are here (Thank you Rick Womer),  I can describe the week's events that started on Feb 20th with the unveiling of my portrait of Harper, commissioned by the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia.  It was quite a week, and wildly special for me as an artist.  The portrait was used as a front page 5.5x7" four-color photo on the cover of 10,000 newspapers printed to announce the program "A Brighter Coming Day: Rediscovering Frances Ellen Watkins Harper."  My Artist's Statement was a column on page 2.  During the week the portrait was taken to The Pennsylvania Historical Society for a panel discussion about Harper, and again to Drexel University for a fascinating historical presentation by Frances Smith Foster of Emery University.  It will finally find its home in the Parish Room of the Unitarian Church.

The unveiling on the 20th began the morning church service, after a Call to Worship by Rev. Mark Tyler of the Mother Bethel AME Church - Harper had been a member of both the Unitarian and AME Churches.  After that the unveiling took place, to a satisfying chorus of ooohs and aaahs.

First, I spoke (briefly) about how the portrait was crafted

Then I had the honor of lowering the drape to reveal the portrait

Next on the agenda, Larry Robin spoke about his discovery of the importance of Harper in the movements for emancipation and women's suffrage.  Larry, through his Moonstone Arts Center had organized the week's events, gaining the support of eighteen local organizations to fund and promote the activities.

Larry Robin is a dynamo in the Philadelphia cultural scene

The following speakers focused on Harper's contributions in her time and the need to continue her work today, and the choir's contribution was equally moving.  And then as it seemed that things were wrapping up, the Church was stormed by the energy of the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble who took over and rocked the rafters.

The African Dance Group, from Camden NJ, performs both locally and internationally

I'd met the spirited director of the dance group, Ronsha Dickerson, just at the time I was looking for a model to assist me in creating the portrait.  Her group was performing a Kwanzaa program downtown, and I was taken by her energy and her work with the kids of Camden.  Moreover, she had the body and skin color I was looking for, and she enthusiastically agreed to work with me for the portrait.

Rev. Nate Walker, Ronsha (with an initial study for the portrait) and The Artist

I was glad that my sister Arlene and her friend Dot could come in from Lancaster for the day, and of course Patricia, who had been supporting me throughout, and was deeply engaged in the process and the day.

Dot, my sister Arlene, Me, Patricia, and the Grump on the Wall

Labels: black history, First Unitarian, Frances Harper, Portrait