|
Local Artist Celebrating Black History Month
Jan 29, 2008 COMMISSIONER HALL DISPLAYING WORK OF LOCAL ARTIST Celebrating Black History Month - Rhonda Long, resident of LeHigh Acres, will be exhibiting her original artwork at the downtown District #4 Commissioner office through February 29th. The display is a colorful depiction of the Jazz Era and Black history and culture captured in pastels and pencils. The public is welcome to view the artwork and learn more about Long (see below). The artwork is also for sale. "The arts are an important part of the cultural development of our community," says Commissioner Hall. "I believe that government can play an important role in providing assistance in public awareness, developing the use of public spaces for display and interaction of art, and for the encouragement and commitment of continued financial support both public and private of all the arts." Other local artists will be featured at six week intervals. Commissioner Hall's office is on the first floor of the Old County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street in downtown Ft. Myers. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Commissioner Hall was elected to the Board of Lee County Commissioners in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. Her district includes North Fort Myers and the central and northern portions of Cape Coral. About the Artist: Rhonda Long, a second generation artist, picked up a pencil at the age of four and discovered a passion for the human image. By the age of five, she had published her first work of art in the school newspaper. Her desire to pursue the love of visual arts, painting, sewing and sculpture has not diminished since that time. During grade school her talents were nurtured by various instructors but special consideration goes to Mrs. Carter of Raymond Elementary on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, who stretched her talent and lead Rhonda to consider teaching as a profession. Rhonda received a summer scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago at 15 years of age where she studied line drawing and portrait painting. But she would tell you that she is basically self taught. At 18 she was offered a full scholarship to the Teachers College but turned it down to become a homemaker. Rhonda has worked as a commissioned portrait artist since 1998. She has been commissioned by private individuals, organizations, and institutions. Rhonda not only has the ability to paint or draw what she sees, but is able to reach into the soul of her subject, painting each person with her strong spiritual conviction as if she has known them for years. While portraitures are her primary focus, she is equally well known for her afro centric pen and inks, and pencils. Rhonda has dedicated the last 20 years to teaching the arts throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Rhonda offered her services to youth groups and senior organizations to experience self expression with the arts on their own level. She shared her passion for the arts as an instructor for five years in the adult continuing education division at Olive Harvey College, Chicago Park District, Chicago Area Project, and Chicago Public Schools conducting workshops on subjects such as airbrush techniques, acrylic painting, and line drawing. Rhonda has exhibited at Shore Bank, South Shore Culture Center, State of Illinois Building, Olive Harvey College, Edgar Metcalf Building, Rush Hospital, University of Illinois at Chicago, and DePaul University where she is currently an on-line student. You can learn more about Rhonda Long at her website currently in development at praiseportraits.com or better still send her a word of encouragement at Rhonda@praiseportraits.com
|