African-American Artists
Organize 2nd Annual Douglas Redd Cultural Summit - 2010
(named in honor
of artist and founder of ASHE Cultural Arts Center)
Inspired by the legacy of
iconic visual artist, Douglas Redd, who died in 2007, local cultural
workers have sent out a call to artists in all disciplines to gather for
a Cultural Summit on Saturday March 27, 2010 at Southern University –
New Orleans.
The Douglas Redd Cultural Summit will take place at the Cafeteria on the
campus of Southern University - 6300 Press Drive, New Orleans on
Saturday, March 27th from 9AM to 3 PM. Musicians, museum workers, visual
artist, actors, Mardi Gras Indians, art gallery heads, writers, poets,
social aid and pleasure clubs, night club owners, digital media
developers, recording studios, photographers, cultural center directors,
and community activists are invited to attend an all day session of
panel discussions, performances, networking, and organizing designed to
develop partnerships among artists and organizations on their events in
2010. In addition, a GIS Cultural Asset map of New Orleans including
over 300 locations will be unveiled. This event will announce a 10 year
effort (2010-2020) to organize New Orleans’ Art & Culture in a way that
will make a powerful impact on the 21st century.
The Douglas Redd Cultural Summit is the brainchild of Congo Square
Foundation head, Luther Gray. Gray, a consummate African drummer and
leader of the percussion and dance group, Bamboulla 2000, says the
Summit is a first step in engaging the local arts community to
participate in the growing Cultural Movement that is emerging in New
Orleans. “In Douglas Redd’s memory, many of us have decided to come
together annually to make sure New Orleans rebuilds with a sense of
retaining its healing cultural heritage and soul.” said Luther Gray.
Redd was an artist and native New Orleanian. He died on July 18, 2007
after battling cancer. Redd was accomplished in graphic arts, sculpture,
wood cuts and jewelry making. The self-proclaimed guardian of cultural
symbols established Redd House in 1993, and produced a wide range of
creative, customized graphic art and design work. From 1977 to 2001 Redd
was the design artist for the Congo Square Area of the New Orleans Jazz
and Heritage Festival, and in 1995 he was commissioned to design the
logo for the Essence Music Festival. Perhaps Redd’s most important work
was a series of five installations know as “Efforts of Grace.”
Celebrating the indomitable spirit of Africans and African Americans,
the works were given a Cultural Olympiad Recognition Award and made part
of the 1996 Olympics. In 1998, along with community activist Carol
Bebelle, Redd founded and established the Ashe Cultural Arts Center in
New Orleans. Redd served as associate and artistic director for the
center until his death.
The Summit is sponsored by the Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and
Ecological Health; Southern University - Department of African &
African-American Studies; Efforts of
Grace, Inc; AIRNOLA (Artists-in-Residence New Orleans); and Bright
Moments, Inc. For more information and to join the movement log on to
WWW.AIRNOLA.ORG or call Luther Gray at (504) 495 – 0463. The Summit is
free and open to all artists and their supporters. For media
opportunities, contact Bill Rouselle at (504) 592 – 1800.
