ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES
Dr. F. M. Nelson, president of the local branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, is here presented, who with the assistance of Mrs. Alberta Martin, executive secretary of the branch, with a committee of active members from various women’s clubs and fraternal organizations, together with the hearty cooperation of the local Negro press and Delilah L. Beasley, of The TRIBUNE has made it possible to successfully present in Oakland the first national exhibit by Negro artists sponsored by the Harmon Foundation and Race Relation commission, Federal Council of Churches. This exhibit has been on display since November 10 in the Oakland Art galleries located in the Municipal Auditorium, and will close Tuesday November 25 at 5 p. m. It is free to the public.
Dr. Nelson, president of the local branch N. A. A. C. P. is a typical example of the Negro citizens throughout the United States who serve as president of local branches of this great national interracial organization. He is a native of New Orleans, receiving his preliminary education from his father, Prof. Medard Nelson, who has since 1876 been a teacher of language in New Orleans. He graduated from Epiphany College, Baltimore, Md., studied philosophy and science at Saint Mary's University, Baltimore, Md., after which he took up the study of medicine graduating from Flint Medical college. He was first assistant surgeon at Providence hospital, New Orleans, for several years, after which he entered private practice, and has lived in Berkeley for many years.
THE EXHIBIT
It was a fine compliment paid the Negro artists, whose paintings are on display in the Oakland Art Gallery by Miss Lehr, assistant director of the galleries, when she said in her weekly newsletter “that the exhibit was the same as any American display of art." Negro citizens throughout the United States will greet this statement with joy. They will feel that if a great western art critic would publish such a comment upon the work of art by Negro artists it will forever stand an indisputable evidence that the Negro is not inferior and that if given even a half chance in any field of human endeavor will develop to a high point of efficiency as any other member of the human race.
The Harmon Foundation and the Race-Relation Commission, Federal Council of Churches will also welcome Miss Lehr's statement because it was the direct object of the foundation that Negro citizens should be recognized as human beings, capable of winning just such distinction. It was when he was about to make the first award to Negroes, William Harmon explained the object of selecting five judges in the field of literature, music, arts, industry including business administration, science including inventions, education, and religion. His object was "to have four of these judges in each field white persons of national recognition and the fifth member an outstanding Negro scholar who also was nationally recognized in the particular field in which he was to serve."
He added: "No self-respecting Negro desires to secure advantage through special favor without due consideration being given to his merit. All he asks is a fair field of opportunity words of encouragement, a sympathetic understanding and the assurance that his work will be judged on a par with the work of the white race without unfair discrimination, prejudice, or undue support of paternalism."
Some who have viewed the exhibit have expressed disappointment that a distinct Negro school of art was not represented instead of simply universal art. In answer to this question, the writer will state that when the American public will begin to treat the American Negro citizen everywhere as human beings, and will cease to lynch either his body or spirit and cease to treat or speak of the Negro as a joke, then the unfettered soul of the Negro will unloose itself and give to the world a masterpiece of art and music. This statement can be best understood by this exhibit. Until the establishing of this column, several year ago, the Negro citizen was often referred to as a "darkey or nigger.” But during the last eight years many daily papers throughout the country have followed the lead of The TRIBUNE in abolishing from use in news items these objectionable terms, and also capitalizing the word Negro the same as they do in writing of other groups of people. As a result the Negro citizen, except in very rare instances, does not object to being called or written about a Negro. The exhibit proves conclusively that he does not wish to lose his racial identity, as nearly, if not all, of the portraits have brown or black faces, and decided Negro features, even the sculptured pieces of Sargent Johnson, who has used as models, Negro children in Berkeley. The reader no doubt will be interested in knowing something concerning the training in art these Negro artists whose paintings are on exhibit.
The artist Allen R. Freelon, of Philadelphia, received his B. S. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1925; for years he held a scholarship at the Pennsylvania Museum School of Art, and he has studied privately with Hugh Breckenridge. He taught in the Philadelphia schools, and served as lieutenant of infantry during the World war. Since 1922 he has been employed as assistant director of art education in the public schools of Philadelphia, the only Negro to be thus employed. During 1928 he was lecturer at Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore and in other colleges on the "Achievements of the Negro in Art." He is co-editor of "Black Opals." His oils and etching have been widely recognized and exhibited. He is a member of the Gloster Society of Artists, {Gloucestershire} and the North Shore Art association. He was the first Negro to be admitted to each of these societies.
Albert Alexander Smith was born In New York City, educated in DeWitt Clinton high school, and at the Ethical Culture school where he studied fine art. At the National Academy of Design he won the Snydum medal in 1917 and in 1919 the Chaloner prize, in 1919 the Tanner Gold medal. In the spring of 1921, he exhibited In the Paris Salon. In 1925, he won the second prize in the Amy Spingarn illustration contest (N. A. A. C. P.) He served with a Negro regiment during the World war.
William Henry Johnson was born in Florence, S. C., was educated in the schools of the city of his birth, spending some time in the French grade schools. His art studies were carried on in the National Academy of Design in New York City, where he was registered for five years and the Cape Cod School of Art at Provincetown, Mass., where he spent three summers. During his study in New York he earned his living, as a stevedore, unloading freight on New York docks. He went to France in November, 1926, and returned, November, 1929.
In the National Academy of Design he studied under Charles W. Hawthorne. During five years in the academy he received the Cannon and the Hall Garten prizes, and many other recognitions. It was through the artist Hawthorne that a purse was raised to enable him to go to France for additional aft study.
DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP
Miss Bobbie Stearns, who was recently elected as a member of the cabinet, governing body of International House, as a representative of the American group, is now chairman of music for the student body in the House and has organized a small choral group to present typical folk songs. On Sunday evening at twilight or the Supperhouse on November 9 she arranged a program whereby songs from Finland, Czechoslovakia, England, Russia and Negro spirituals were sung with special French harp numbers being rendered by Miss Lou Rene Howe. In the literary group at the International House, the same evening. Miss Weems read to a group of students representing 85 nations, the celebrated play "The Green Pastures."
Y. M. C. A. NOTES
The membership for the Filbert Street branch, Y. M. C. A. according to Will Watkins executive secretary, is meeting with a decided spirit of cooperation. The Junior Hi-Y Boy's club played a basketball game on November 17 with the boys of Metros Baptist church at Colo public school. Sam O'Conner has volunteered to assist in the Boy’s work.
BOY SCOUT LEADERS
The Boy Scout movement for Oakland and vicinity held a largely attended meeting on Monday evening in the auditorium of H. C. Capwell's store at which time many were entered into the court of honor. Among the racial groups receiving this honor was Roy Towns and E. Knelling, representing the Negro citizens of Oakland. Towns at the same time had the distinction of having written a skit which was rendered.
BERKELEY LYCEUM
The regular meeting of the Lyceum of Mt. Pleasant Baptist church in Berkeley will have for speakers tonight Prof. Gleeson of Edison High school, and Delilah L Beasley. Meeting begin 7:45 p. m. sharp. The public will be welcome.
