Black History month takes on a new dimension when the Black History celebration is hosted by University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg and Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Robert Hill. On Feb. 1, the University of Pittsburgh 2012 K. Leroy Irvis Black History Month Program was held at the Twentieth Century Club and celebrated Thaddeus Mosley, the sculptor. This year’s modern tradition of celebrating Black History began with a mix and mingle on the first floor and opening remarks by Chancellor Nordenberg. Hill introduced the world premiere of “Thaddeus Mosley: Sculptor.” The film was produced and directed by Kenneth Love.
 |
| CREATING MODERN TRADITIONS—Mark A. Nordenberg, Ken Love, Thaddeus Mosley and Robert Hill (Photos by Debbie Norrell)
|
Mosley, a native of New Castle, Pa., earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 1950. He settled in Pittsburgh and worked at the U.S. Postal Service and as a freelance journalist for the Pittsburgh Courier all while honing his craft as a sculptor. Mosley works primarily with wood and is best known for work that includes the Hill District’s cedar Phoenix at the corner of Centre Avenue and Dinwiddie Street, the limestone Mountaintop at the Martin Luther King Jr. Reading and Cultural Center on Herron Avenue and the black walnut Three Rivers Bench on the second floor of Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
After the film, the crowd retired to the third floor for a lively reception. As they walked into the ballroom they were surrounded by several of Mosley’s carvings and multiple photographs of Mosley that were at least two stories high.
Pitt’s Black History Month program was established in 2004 with the world premiere screening of “K. Leroy Irvis: The Lion of Pennsylvania.” The program is now one of the most anticipated Black History Month celebrations.
Spotted: Curtis Porter, M. Gayle Moss, Ruthie King, Evan Frazier, Esther Bush, Lorraine Turner, Jack and Stephanie Simmons.
About Post Author
