Young Black
Writers ' Program being offered
As a community, it is through
our literary arts that we find the
means to communicate the ideas
and events of our collective experi
ence. We have only to go to the
library and find a book by Langston
Hughes, Maya Angelou, Alice
Walker, or James Baldwin to see it
is through words that we create a
lasting record of our African- Amer
ican heritage.
The Young Black Writers' Pro
gram is a series of seminars for high
school aged young adults focusing
on teaching literature and providing
specialized instruction on the craft
of writing. The program teaches
creative writing skills with an
emphasis on the works of African
American writers.
Co-sponsored by The Arts
Council and the North Carolina
Writers' Network, this project is an
important part of both organiza
tions' efforts to promote literacy and
build an audience for literature
throughout North Carolina. At pre
sent, 22 of the 25 openings for this
program have been filled with
bright young men and women from
throughout Winston-Salem interest
ed in the arts of writing.
The seminars take place on the
second and fourth Saturdays of each
month from 9-11 a.m. St. Benedic
t's Catholic Church. Classes are
taught by Stacie Biown anu Milii
cent King, bc*h active members of
the literary community.
Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, and
Nikki Giovanni as well as others
will be read and discussed as part of
the programs overall goal of intro
ducing the students to African
ArtsReach
* .? ' .... ivTvt " "-r
By REGGIE JOHNSON
This year's curriculum focuses
on poetry and fiction. Throughout
the ten weeks of the program stu
dents will read, discuss and write
poetry and fiction pieces. The stu
dents have the opportunity to learn
exactly what poetry is including
what is a good poem and what
makes it so. Characteristics of poet
ry will be discussed as well as the
importance of reading other poets.
Fiction will be discussed as a mix
of experience and invention for the
writer. Motives as well as technique
for writing will be presented.
Works by Margaret Walker,
Conrad Kent Rivers, Alice Walker,
Toni Cade Bambara, Earnest J.
Gaines, Lucille Clifton, Maya
American writers and the rich her
itage expressed in their works.
In each seminar, the Young
Black Writers Program teaches not
only the mechanics and language of
creative composition but the free
dom and opportunity of self-expres
sion in the art of writing. The stu
dents are encouraged to use person
al experience as a source of inspira
tion as a pan of the creative pro
cess.
Special projects are created
throughout the program to help
inspire and educate the students.
One such project including holding
"class time" at the Diggs Gallery on
the campus of Winston-Salem State
University during the recent quilt
exhibition.
Toward the end of the program
the curriculum will stress the stu
dents the process of developing as a
writer. The participants will be
reading poetry and fiction critically,
' writing regularly, evaluating their
works and drawing from the fellow
ship of poets.
The primary objectives of the
program is to provide specific tech
nical direction and understanding of
poetry and fiction. The seminars
enhance student interest in reading
as well as expose students to the
writings of African-American writ
ers. At the same time, the project
may foster fellowship and critical
objectivity among an emerging
community of writers.
Perhaps it is this "fellowship"
of young people ? coming together
for a common learning experience
and looking to the African-Ameri
can writers before them for guid
ance ? that makes this experience
so special and important to our
community.
It is this type of activity, creat
ed to give our young people oppor
tunities to deveiop their talents and
minds, that provides healthy outlets
of self-expression and proper role
models. '
'Portraits'
of the African
?
American family
Seagram's Gin has officially
unveiled "New Generation," a com
missioned work by renowned artist
Elizabeth Catiett, as part of the 6th
annual "Portraits of Black America"
program benefiting the National
Urban League (NUL).
"New Generation" joins the
Seagram's Gin "Portraits of Black
America" collection of five out
standing works done by African
American artists commissioned by
Seagram's Gin over the last five
years in honor of Black History
Month. Previous artists are: James
Denmark, Hughie Lee Smith, Syn
thia Saint James, Jonathan Green,
and Louis Delsarte.
"New Generation" is a mixed
medium of work of collage, paint
and pencil, depicting the intiiy^
and unique relationship experienced
between a black father and son. The
recipient of numerous academic,
artistic and civic Jionors and com
missions, Elizabeth Catlett's sculp
tures and paintings are represented
in private and public collections
throughout the world.
Carl Horton, House of Sea
gram's director of business develop
ment, explains, "For more than four
decades, Joseph E. Seagram & Sons
has been a supporter of the National
Urban League and its
work. Through its
annual donation of
limited edition
lithographs of works y
some of America's
foremost African
American artists, Sea
gram's Gin continues
this tradition."
"We are thrilled to
have "New Genera
tion," the sixth in a
series of commis
sioned work by Sea
gram's Gin, on view in
the National Urban
League gallery, along
with some of her other
paintings and sculp
i xSKI?'" i
idem John Jacob." " " ~ wActMfi painter and sculptor Elizabeth Catlett (right) was commissioned to
"We invite you to create a work of art depicting the positive relationship between African-Amerl
support the League can fathers and sons. Pictured along with her are John Jacob (left), president
through the purchase arK* CEO ?f the National Urban League and Cart Horton, business director for
of these limited edi- House ?* Seagram.
tion lithographs."
Thirteen of Catlett's paintings
and sculptures are on view at the
NUL gallery for one month starting
jFebruary 5. Limited edition
"lithographs of "New Generation"
^will be available for purchase
through the NUL as part of Sea
gram's Gin's long-standing commit
ment to the African-American com
munity.
The unveiling event was held at
the Time-Life Building and was
hosted by WCBS-TV News anchor
Reggie Harris. A distinguished
group of artists, art connoisseurs,
NUL supporters and celebrity well
wishers were in attendance at the
event.
Producer Woodie
King Jr. comes to town
Woodie King Jr., a living leg
end in the annals of contemporary
theatre as a producer, director,
writer, and teacher, is the original
producer of TLora , the hit play of
the 1991 National Black Theatre
Festival, based on the life and
times of Zora Neale Hurston, the
Queen of the Harlem Renaissance,
which will be returning to Win
ston-Salem for an encore perfor
mance at the Arts Council Theatre.
Reigning as the director of
New Federal Theatre at the Henry
Street Settlement in New York
City since 1970, Woodie King's
formidable directing prowess has
earned critical acclaim in the most
prestigious theatre in the country.
He has directed in such theatres as
The American Place Theater in
New York, Center Stage in Balti
more, Pittsburgh Public Theater,
Studio Arena in Buffalo, Indiana
Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati
Playhouse and for the New York
Shakespeare Festival.
Woodie King Jr. has produced
over SO plays internationally and
for many writers who already
enjoy a pedestal in the corridors of
African- American theatre history.
His prolific film producing reper
toire includes the motion pictures
Right On!, Black Theatre Move
ment, The Long Night, Torture of
Mothers, and Death of a Prophet.
As the Cultural Arts Director
for the Mobilization for Youth,
N.Y.C. he set up of the first train
ing program in the arts for young
Blacks and Latinos. Films pro
duced under the program won the
Venice Festival Award, Ober
hovsen Award, International Film
Critics Award, and the A. Philip
Randolph Award.
Last year Mr. King won both
the prestigious Best Dramatic Pro
duction Award from the American
Women in Radio and Television,
and the CBBA Award for his CBS
T.V. special Women of the Regent
Hotel.
King is also a renown writer.
?His most recent publication, an
anthology of plays is entitled New
Woodie King Jr.
Plays for the Black Theatre. He
has written articles and stories for
Black World, Liberator , Variety
Magazine , Tulane Drama Review ,
Association for RHW Study of
Negro Life and History, Black
Theatre Magazine, and others.
i ,, credits include
Yale University, Columbia Unver
sity, Oberlin College, as Distin
guished Visiting Professor, Penn
State University, Brooklyn Col
lege's School of Contemporary
Studies and Hunter College.
Woodie King Jr. is a mega produc
ing, directing award winner for
achievements in theatre that
espouse an undaunted energy
inspired to break new ground; an
energy powered by genius that her
alds a Who's Who in every field of
his endeavorg.
Don't miss Zora at the Arts,
Council Theatre, 610 Coliseum
Drive, Feb. 27, 28, 29, March 5, 6,
7 at 8 p.m., with a special matinee
Sunday, March 1 and 8. For reser
vations and information, Fund
Raiser Opportunities and Special
Group Rates call (919) 723-7907
NOW! Mastercard and VISA
accepted.
? Stevens Center ?
Something for Everyone
For ticket information
? CaU 721-1946 y
CELEBRATE
*& S?s
in Winston-Saleml
We will be celebrating Mardi Gras
at the Rainbow. Featuring the
foods of New Orleans and Dixie
and Blackened Voodoo Beers
shipped In from New Orleans.
A Mad Grot mart wM bo roqiirod to gain
occom to a tcfcrf*. (Wo V??l havo foarwa tor
Vttw vUthout tho **tt.)
Why Cctobrat* Mardi Gras in Winston-Salem? Why not?
Winston-Salem's most unique bookstore , newsstand and
Cafe. Browse over 2.000 magazines , a full selection of books ,
or enjoy a delicious lunch and dinner.
??355?, &*?>
Ci^FesDOOKS <9^9)723-0656
Mon.-Frl. 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 10:00 a.m. -9:00 p.m.
znrrrrftd* u
&
IKEIBNECSVILLE
LITTLE THEATRE
PO BOX 822 KERNERSVILLE. NC 27205 ? (919)993-6556
?5$^' c5v" ^
The Mousetrap
Directed by Juan Fernandez
Product/ tf tpoclal arrangfiwnt with Samual Frtnch, Inc.
Don't miss this classic thriller
By Agatha Christie
Discover why "Three Blind MlceM
Will send shivers down your spine!
l-^v
I
Performances Dates and Times
Fridays A Saturday* - February 21. 22. 28 & 20
AJao, Sunday Matin**. F*b 23 at 3:00 pm
Tlck*t* avallabl* at th* door - Adult* IS, Stud*nts/S*nlor* S4
P*rformtnc** at K*rn*r*vlll* School Auditorium
Bring this ad In for a $1.00 Discount
Valid only for tickets purchased at door.
Not valid with any othsr discount offsr. Limit 2 ticksts per
Bring your uZORA " ticket
stub (presented by NCBRC)
and receive $1 off ticket price.
The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
zvith special guest
The Spirit of Life Community Choir
February 29, 8:00 p.m.
Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium
Winston-Salem State University
Tickets $6 in advance/$7 at the door
^Available at The Arts Council, WSSU Alumni office
& Urban League
Call 722-2585 for more information.
presented by
The Arts Council
of
Winston-Salem and Forsyth County
in partnership with
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State Alumni Association,
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Schools, WXII - Channel 12
Support provided by
The Marque of Winston-Salem, Bob Neill Pontiac Inc.
and Modern Chevrolet ? Geo
/
TO AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN IN WINSTON-SALEM/FORSYTH COUNTY
Do you feel that African American Women deserve to be honored? If
your answer is yes to this question then bring your wife, mother, aunt,
sister, grandmother or friend to the Arts Council Theatre when the
THE NORTH CAROLINA BLACK REPERTORY COMPANY
in association with the
NATIONAL BLACK TOURING CIRCUIT
and the
NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL
present
AS A GLORIOUS TRIBUTE TO AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN
"ZORA"
KLIZABKTH VAN DYKI as
"ZORA NEALE HURSTON"
*
BASED ON THE LIFE OF THE LEGENDARY ZORA NEALE HURSTON
THE QUEEN OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
ARTS COUNCIL THEATRE 610 COLISEUM DRIVE, W. S.
FEBRUARY 27-28-29 & MARCH 1-5-6-7-8
8PM EXCEPT FOR SUNDAYS 3PM
$15 ADULTS $10 STUDENT/SENIOR CITIZEN
MASTER CARD ft VISA ACCEPTED
/