Historic Reflections
“Jacob Lawrence: Thirty Years of Prints 1963-1993” currently hangs at Spokane’s Cheney Cowles Museum through Sept. 1. The Martin Luther King Family Resource Center collaborated with the museum to create “I Am Somebody,” an exhibit illustrating black history in Spokane. Today, children from the center’s summer academy, - also called “I Am Somebody,” - reflect on three prints in the Lawrence exhibit. “Brotherhood for Peace” represents political and historical themes frequently found in Lawrence’s work. Specifically, this print speaks to struggles that have shaped American history. “I think struggle is a beautiful thing,” he said. In “The Library,” the artist pays tribute to an important childhood destination. And, completed prior to the 1972 summer games in Munich, “Olympic Games” commemorates the involvement of black athletes in the games.
The Cheney Cowles Museum developed a variety of activities to enhance the Jacob Lawrence exhibit. For more information call 456-3931. Or visit the museum at 2316 W. First Ave. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and students. Children under 6 are free.
“THE LIBRARY” (1978)
“I like this one the best because I like reading. I also like the bright blues, reds and oranges. Jacob Lawrence must like books and drawing.
I like the runners in the other picture too. I want to be in Olympics, so I can be strong.”
Sarah Allen, 8
“I noticed all the black people in the library. I read a book once that said that at one time, black people couldn’t go in libraries - only white people. Now times have changed. My favorite books are horror books. The writers try to scare you, but you don’t really get scared.”
Jieshrae Adeeba, 12
“There are only black people in this picture. I never see that. Mostly I just see white people, or both.”
Ryan Stewart, 12
“I like the way the people look interested in the books. It also looks like like everyone is helping out in the library.”
Ashley Washington, 12
“There are a lot of bright colors in this picture. Orange is my favorite.
All of the people in this picture are black. Maybe that’s because Jacob Lawrence is black. I’d like it better if there were all kinds of people in the picture.”
Janelle Stewart, age 10
“I don’t really like to read. It’s not one of my hobbies. I don’t know why Jacob Lawrence painted this picture. He probably does like to read.”
Nick Howell, age 11
“OLYMPIC GAMES” (1971)
“This one is my favorite because I like track. I used to run track.
The reason I liked the Olympics is because I watched people like Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Gail Devers and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
This picture shows that you can do whatever you want. We should all be determined, just like the athletes that win the gold.”
Desi Lewis, 10
“They are thinking about winning and teamwork. They are making those faces because they are trying very hard.”
Brianna Mack, 8
“People from other countries are in the Olympics. Theses runners are thinking about finishing first so they can hear their national anthem. Then the people in their country will be proud. Their faces do look a little weird. It seems like they’re frowning. Their eyes look different. They’re not circles like ours. I can tell they’re just trying to run fast.”
Lonnie Mitchell, 9
“The people running in the back are happy they made it to the Olympics, but they’re not as fast as they thought they were. The people in the front want to retire, happy after winning. They’re tired but they keep running. They want to be a gold medalist in their event.”
Austin Washington, 10
“BROTHERHOOD FOR PEACE” (1967)
“These people are talking about the branch in the center of the table. It’s a sign of peace. If I was sitting at the table, I would say ‘we’re working together now. Let’s keep trying.’ There’s different kinds of people in this picture. And I like that they are working together. That way they get more ideas.”
Janelle Stewart, 10
“If I was around the table, I would say, ‘that’s a nice branch.”’
Rochelle Adams, 9
“All of these people have something in common. They were all slaves once. And they have all been angry at each other at one time or another. Now they know it’s better to beat someone with kindness. I like the peace tree and the way they’re hugging each other. Jacob Lawrence painted this to show everybody it’s best to be kind to people.”
Desi Lewis, 10
“The tree means that everyone should have the right to peace and being equal. Now the group will go outside and make peace with other people.”
Mario Veneques, 9
“I think that they’re talking about the fact that all people are brothers and sisters: Blacks, Whites, Asians and all other people.”
Nick Howell, 11
“They are talking about all of the people of different colors there are in nature. They will plant the tree in the ground together. Then the people at the center of the earth will carve their names in it.”
Monique Vargas, 12
“They might be talking about finding a cure for AIDS. That’s something that people have to work together on. They look serious. But they’re also happy because they’re all friends. They’re not fighting.”
Lonnie Mitchell, 9
“They’re talking about freeing the slaves. The branch is a sign of their friendship.”
Jieshra Adeeba, 12