CULTUREHHI

NEWSLETTER

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NEWSLETTER

Local Artist, Sonja Griffin Evans & the

400 Year Commemoration

Sonja Griffin Evans at work on "The First Family"

The 400 Year Commemoration

The 400th Anniversary Commemorative Weekend August 23-25 is a multi-day
celebration in Hampton, Virginia centered around the First African arrival, including
dedication and remembrance ceremonies, gallery exhibits, historical tours,
conferences, cultural workshops and music.

Congress established the 400 Years of African-American History Commission. For

more than two years, the Hampton 2019 Commemoration Commission and Virginia’s,
“2019 Commemoration, American Evolution" have sponsored programs that highlight
not just the arrival of Africans but also other significant developments in the state’s –
and the nation’s – history, including the establishment of the first representative
legislative assembly in the New World.
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One of the The highlights of the 400 Year Commemoration will be the unveiling of a
unique painting entitled, 'The First Family' by international artist Sonja Griffin Evans at
the Fort Monroe Visitor and Education Center on Saturday August 24th, 2019 at 2:00
P.M., to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first Africans to arrive in English
North America in 1619.

The ship carrying the first enslaved Africans in the New World reached the shores of
North America at Point Comfort, now Fort Monroe. Far from their home in Angola, these
farmers, blacksmiths, herders and artisans survived capture and displacement and
helped a fledgling nation survive. Cultural heritage artist Griffin Evans' is not only
known for capturing the beauty and spirituality of her beloved Gullah culture
internationally, but for her masterful storytelling through her paintings of the culture,
heritage, and history of people of African descent. Her painting 'The First Family' will
depict two of the Africans, Isabella, Antony, and their child William Tucker.

Isabella and Antony worked for a Captain William Tucker, the Virginia envoy to the
Pamunkey Indians, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Tucker. In the early 1620's Captain Tucker
allowed the couple to wed though the practice violated English custom for indentured
servants. Antony and Isabella married at least a year before giving birth to their son
William Tucker in 1624. William became the first recorded black child born in what
would become the USA. He was the first black child baptized into the Anglican faith in
1624. Antony and Isabella participated in the establishment of Elizabeth City County,
Virginia which is now the city of Hampton, in 1634.

Read More About the Tucker's in Today's USA Today Article Here

Congratulations, Sonja! We can't wait to see the final portrait.

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Community Create Applications Online

We want to hear your ideas!

Two of the greatest resources that our community has is its people and their creativity.
The Office of Cultural Affairs is seeking ideas from our community visual artists,
performing artists, musicians, lecturers, and art professionals at every stage of their
careers to submit proposals for our Community Creates Initiatives.

Full guidelines and criteria can be found online. Applications can be submitted year
round and projects will be selected as time and budget allows.

Check it out online here

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NEWSLETTER

Local Artist Richard Grant @ the Rec

Local Artist, Richard Grant, on Exhibit at the Island Rec

Using clean lines and negative space, Richard interprets images, both real and
imagined, by deconstructing them into their organic and geometric forms. His style
conveys a unique and intriguing tension between other-worldliness and real-world
familiarity. He has been influenced by William Morris, Georges Braque, Henri
Rousseau, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella and many more.

Richard lives on Hilton Head Island, since November 2017. He is originally from
Chicago, where he still is represented by the Thomas Masters Gallery.
http://www.thomasmastersgallery.com

Richard has artwork on display at the Arts League of Hilton Head gallery, Society of
Bluffton Artists (SoBA) and various local Hilton Head businesses.

Come down to see this beautiful exhibit at the Island Rec Gallery Wall, Now -
November 1, 2019.
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Discovery Night at the Museum

These hands on, after hours classes vary seasonally. Come learn about local art,
culture, and environment - from the experts - AND take home something that you
helped create.

8/29 - Sweetgrass Basket Workshop - $65 per person ($15 program + $50
materials) - Learn about the history of the Sweetgrass basket, one of the
Lowcountry's best known art forms, from a local 7th generation Gullah basket maker.
Then, try your hand at starting a basket of your own using locally found natural
materials.
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9/5 - Indigo Exploration - $15 per person - Journey to the past and “meet” Eliza
Lucas Pinckney. In 1739, when Eliza was just 17 years old, her experiments with
indigo resulted in a very profitable industry for the colony of South Carolina. Hear her
unique story, learn how indigo dye was made, and make your own indigo tie-dye t-
shirt (provided for you) to take home. This family friendly educational experience is
fun for all ages.

9/12 – Reptiles and Amphibians - $15 per person - The Lowcountry is home to
many amazing reptiles and amphibians. Take a closer look at the unique and
fascinating characteristics of these important animals. After learning about the joys
and challenges of living with reptiles and amphibians in the Lowcountry you will have
the opportunity to get hands-on and up close (if you choose to do so) with a few fun
critters. Take home knowledge and resources that willhelp you navigate the
wonderful world of reptiles and amphibians in the Lowcountry.

9/19 - Lowcountry Insects - $15 per person - Join the Museum’s Manager of
Natural History to learn about many beneficial insects that live in the Lowcountry.
Find out how to help protect them in your own yard. Participants will make a take-
home insect house to provide shelter for some fascinating, local, and beneficial
insects, such as the Grass Carrier Wasp and the Four Toothed Mason Wasp.

More Info & Registration Online Here

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Kenny Cetera at the Arts Center

America’s Premiere Tribute to the Music of Chicago

Kenny Cetera is the younger brother of Chicago lead singer, Peter Cetera, and a
contributing vocalist on the album “Chicago 17,” which is still the band's #1 all-time
grossing record. Kenny has an undying passion for songs such as “You’re The
Inspiration,” “Stay The Night,” “Along Comes a Woman,” and the earlier hits that made
Chicago famous around the world.

Kenny Cetera and his band flawlessly perform Chicago’s Greatest Hits, presenting
material from band’s most relevant and creative years of original music, '68 through '85.

Tickets & Info Online Here

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NEWSLETTER

Art League Opens Satellite Gallery

Art League of Hilton Head is ecstatic to have been given the opportunity to exhibit
their member’s artworks at The Other Sister’s Wine Bar at Shelter Cove Marina (13
Harbourside Lane, Unit B).

This new partnership is another example of how Art League increases the visual arts on
HHI for visitors and tourists alike. This is the first satellite in the Shelter Cove Marina
area for Art League of Hilton Head.

Some of the artists exhibiting will be:

Lisa Gilyard
Kristin Griffis
Julie Schroeder
Brenda Luczynski
Norma Deal
Art Cornell

The Other Sister’s Wine Bar is now open but will host an official ribbon cutting
ceremony on Wednesday, August 28, at 5pm. Artwork will be installed on Tuesday,
August 27 and change on a quarterly rotation.
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NAMI's One in Five Fest

Celebrate wellness and learn how to create a healthier and more balanced lifestyle at
the 1-in-5 Wellness Festival. There will be music, food, raffles, activities and games for
adults and kids, a "Bust the Stigma" Balloon Pop, yoga, and locally-based wellness
resources. Bring the entire family to enjoy this amazing event!

Come out and be exposed to the amazing health and wellness conscious businesses,
organizations and more. FREE Admission for EVERYONE! September 14th from 10-
2 @ Shelter Cove Community Park. Info Online Here

Culture HHI will be on site making free globe lanterns. Art is a known wellness tool and
engaging with your community has been proven to combat loneliness. So, come out
and make art with us as we get ready to parade as our entire community on November
9th on South Forest Beach.

More Info about the Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade can
be found online here including workshop schedules and
information for room discounts from our host hotel,
The Beach House