Published Each Thursday Since January 18, 1973
I ^ co AmoDiLasfiA asriDHixsf wnccsiE I
I Pembroke, N.C. "Building Coiimiimici/livc Hrid^cs m a /'ri-Racial Selling " Robeson County |
DeLora Cummings, SATW Guest Artist
Art Auction To Be Held June 26
by Barbara Braveboy- Lockle&r
SPECIAL TO THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
Come next Tuesday night some lucky bidder will claim
a masterpiece of art and a husband and his five children
will reclaim the artist mother and wife they gave up six '
months ago to paint it
"I promised by family that after June 261 wouldn't pick
up another artist brush far the remainder of this
summer," says DeLore Cummings, this year's guest
artist of "Strike atjhe Wind!" The 41-year-old Lumbee
Indian was commissioned by Robeson Historical Drama
earlier this year to create on canvas a painting which is
being offeredlbr auction at the fifth annual SATW auction
dinner next Tuesday at 7:80 p.m. at the new Holiday Inn
in Lumberton. The event is the largest fund-raising
project for Robeson Historical Drama, the sponsor of the
outdoor drama which depicts the times and life of Henry
Berry Lowrie, an hdian leader whose leadership brought
social and economic change to Robeson County during the
post-Civil War era.
Cummings promises that her 4x5 foot painting of
" finest oils and Belgium linen" is one in which
all peoples of Robeson County can identify with. "I didn't
want the painting to focus exclusively on 'Strike at the
- Wind! So I made it 'Strike at the Wind!' and so much
more." She says her task became one of a brooder focus
encompassing people, history and education.
The petite native Robeonian says while she'd always
wanted to create a commissioned piece for SATW, the
actual contract to do so was frightening. "The demand on
me to create something so big for so many people and for
it to raise so much money really did frighten me." The
demand became a labor of love for the artist who says she
personally sees the finished product as a token and
contribution to her beloved Indian people, "ft also
becomes that little something I can leave here for my
children, grandchildren and all my Indian people to enjoy
and appreciate."
The artist/educator assures a lot of research went into
the making of her commissioned work. "I talked with
numerous people, consulted books and even researched
fabric materials because I wanted the work to show
texture and color...a lot at color." 1
..."As an artist, what I paint, why /
paint and how I paint are the results
of everything I am, everything I've
experienced, every person I've
known, and everything I have seen,
felt, smelted, heard and touched."
. DeLora Cummings
She saysherfamily becameaninegrsipartcHthe
project "My family is very supportive of my interest in
art and accepted estra responsibility during the past half
year." Working from a studio in her home, she donated a
minimum of two hours each evening to the painting. As
the work progressed she says the hourly commitment
increased. "Td never before gotten so involved in a piece
of work as with the SATW assignment Sometimes I
would paint until 3 a.m. and not tire at all. Td go to bed,
get up and go to my regular teaching job and couldn't wait
until my two-hour painting time in the evening."
She says as the work took focus, the painting became
the Cummings family secret Hie artist adds that she
often employed the ideas and services of her children. ' 'I
worked with still-life, and when I needed something
special to incorporate into my work they were eager to go
outside among nature and find the particular items I
needed. I feel my artistic contribution to today's society is
sharing my love for mankind, nature and all the beauty
around me."
She continues, "As an artist what I paint why I paint
and bow I paint are the results of everything I am,
everything I've experienced, every person I have known,
and everything I have seen, felt, smelled, beard and
touched."
Since giving up the painting to the SATW committee
six weeks ago, Cummings says she has been busy putting
the final touches on 20 other works of art which will be
shown at the June 26th auction dinner reception. The
Pembroke State University graduate says she originally
worked in oils, which later expended to a verify at
mediums. In the early 1980's she began to focus on
watercobr and has worked exclusively in that medium;
except for commissions requiring differently.
Cummings is a member of dosens of organisations,
including the National Art Educators, Robe son
Co mm unity Art Guild and Lumber River Art Guild in
which she is president
She has received many awards, most recently, the Dick
Bliek Artist Award. Her artwork was selected by the
Rising Star Publishers to be printed into a collection at
greeting cards. Much of her artwork has appeared in
various books and brochures, most notably in Nortk
Carolina'* MO yean: Sign* Along the Way. She teaches
art in the Public Schools of Robeson County at Purnell
Swett Senior High and has given private lessons to gifted
and talented children. She has worked as a commercial
artist for several years and served as judge in Art
contests.
I Tickets to the Art Auction are still
available. For more information, call the
Strike at the Wind office, (919)521-3112.
Cultural
Center
Receives
Grant
by Ben Jacobs
Hie North Carolina Indian Cultural
Center is pleased to announce that it
has received a $90,000 grant from
the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation of
Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
According to Dr. Helen Sebeobeck
Development Director of the Cultural
Center, the giant is lor general
operational support for the Center
and will be used to help the Center in
meeting its match of a $200,000 grant
from the Administration for Native
Americana. Department of Health
and Human Services. The federal
grant is effective July 1, 1990.
Dr. Helen M. Scheirbeck express
ed the thanks of both the board and
staff of the Indian Cultural Center to
Torn Lambeth, Executive Director of
the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
She stated despite the "poUtkaT
and related setbacks, the Center's
course has been chartered and
remains fairly well on schedule. It is
through support of foundations like
Z. Smith Reynolds and our friends,
Indians and oon-fedians, and the
public at large that the North
Caorlina Indian Cultural Center
becomes a reality in North Carolina.
CO
LU
UJ
OQ
|
UJ
2 ii
O
X
UJ
2
O
o
UJ
jj LittU Mitt Lambaa PkyUitia DanUOa LockUar uM
V. rtknqwitk her croum on Wtdnatdag, Mna 97 at the
W annual LittU Miat Lambaa PagaanL The pageant wM ba
jk hold at the PSU Performing Art* Cantor. Seventeen girl*
jy uMby vying forth* title Admit ton it 95 prrton and tk*
avant begin* at 7:90 p.m. The LittU MU* Lambaa
JA Pageant it only ona of the many aethntU* pimntd during
jfr the 1990 Lamb** Homecoming Mna 99-90.
^ Tba eauUatamU an tkoum below.
TWHif^n I it'it fit Hunt
Mr. d Mr*. Mm? Hunt
Mr. mmdMrt. Gcorg* Lovxy
jslmJL' ^['^IIy/ij
Afflun nsw
Tkric* Brook* Lawurt
Mi.WmukA.Lvu*rg 4
?Mr. m4 Mr*. Victor Rag botmn
??Ml MMMMMHMMU
LMmMmAnMMJaeobi
Mr. mtdMn. W&mmJbcob?
Mr. tmd Mr*. Qm i y OmwUmt
? JWXyt?i Mtmkt ?fj
Mr. mmditrt. Qrtgofy Jhc?li ,1
M Ehca Xoy Cmmmmgi
J**nc* Nmktuk Cmmnmmg*
Mr. mi Mn. Ktnwm Cummimgt
IC-.I J UjiAgBJ
( rylHli /WCOM LAImmTjf
Mt DoOU Lmurry <# Ronald Dullard
Mr. tmd Mr*. EklockUmr
Mr.mdZrt. OmmUmMmt
^ 5
^1, flimt
Little Miss Lumbee Pageant 4
June 27 |
Vil