Pittsburgh Black womens’ arts group marks 40 years; Seeking new, younger members
By Timothy Cox
Special to Real Times Media, Pittsburgh
On a sunny Spring day in 1981, a small group of African-American women from the Pittsburgh area got together and formed what’s now called Women of Visions, Inc. aka WOV.
Original members included the late Juanita Miller and Emma Slaughter.
In celebrating their 40th Anniversary, the current membership has retrospectively looked back on their highs and lows and upon what has transpired in keeping WOV, a successful and thriving organization. The group consists of about 20 members – boasting a diverse artistic talent-base. According the Christine Bethea, WOV president, members work in such artistic mediums as painting, fiber arts, collage, mixed media, photography, ceramics, weaving, knitting, jewelry-making and three-dimensional works. Though proud of their many accomplishments in four decades, the group realizes their continued longevity is based on attracting younger members.
“We come from every walk of life. Some are retired ladies, others are single mothers, grandmothers, aunts. Our mission is to reach out to the general public – especially African-American children – and educate them about many of our black artists, such as Romare Bearden and William Henry Johnson,” said Ms. Bethea. The group is affiliated with both the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Bearden once resided in Pittsburgh.
Longtime member LaVerne Kemp, agrees that attracting a younger membership is beneficial. “We’re at a point where we’d love to pass on our skills to the next generation,” said Kemp, a Cecil, Pa. native. Ms. Kemp said the group was started to provide African-American women artists a creative outlet, when similar city-run agencies weren’t quite as welcoming in decades prior to the early ’80s.
Annette Johnson Jackson once lived in South Central Los Angeles, before returning to her Pa. roots about 10 years ago. “I was introduced to the arts in grade school, in Beaver Falls,” she recalled. Her specialty has since developed into water-color paintings. Her skills have increased immensly since joining WOV, she said.
Internationally acclaimed sculptor Selma Burke, was an honorary chairperson and mentor of WOV when the group began. Ms. Burke operated the
Selma Burke Arts Center in East Liberty from 1972 to 1981. She was known for creating art work in the form of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
WOV was incorporated in 1995 and is a 501c3 non-profit group. For more information about Women of Visions, Inc., call 412-596-6521 or access womenofvisionspgh.com website or on Facebook.
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