Honoring the gains made in recognizing the gifts and humanity of others.
In February 2003, twelve members of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan went to Lagos, Ekiti and Ilesa Nigeria to find ways to build stronger relationships between Christians of different cultures.
The trips delegates included the Episcopal Bishop Wendell Gibbs, photojournalist and chief publisher of The Record, (the newspaper/magazine of the Michigan Diocese), G. Herb Gunn, and Jacquelyn Hayes. Mr. Gunn took spectacularly, poignant photographs of the many people the group met while they toured churches, hospitals, schools, and area villages. Mr. Gunn gifted Hayes the two photographs on display because he recognized her strong interest in supporting education.
In February 2003, twelve members of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan went to Lagos, Ekiti and Ilesa Nigeria to find ways to build stronger relationships between Christians of different cultures.
In February of this year, Jacquelyn Hayes, founder of Hayes Advocacy for the Vegas Arts, and Jeanne Fiumara, Desert Spring United Methodist Church Art Guild Director, selected four original pieces from the 2003 trip to provide visitors to the church enjoyment and cultural enrichment.
The display includes a painting by Carl Owens, black and white photographs by G. Herb Gunn, and an East African Batik showing Maasai people. The works will be on display through April 2025.
We hope you enjoy the following works on display at the Desert Spring United Methodist Church in Las Vegas.
Carl Owens Portrait of an OBA
Carl Owens was a very successful artist for his work in the 1970s promoting African and African American culture.
The piece shown above represents an Oba (king) or African Elder. While in Nigeria, Jacquelyn Hayes met an Oba who looked remarkably like this gentleman. He is exquisitely painted, and this work’s composition speaks volumes. During this king’s lifetime he has seen many things; he has the benefit of wisdom, and his lips are parted as if he is speaking to his audience to share what he knows. This work spoke to Hayes, making it an integral part of the display.
Carl Owens was a prolific artist who began as an illustrator for the army. He was a teacher in the Detroit Public Schools and created many commissions for Fortune 500 companies.
Mr. Owens’ curriculum vitae includes: The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; The Minneapolis Institute of Arts; The Art Institute of Chicago; the M. H. DeYoung Museum, San Francisco; the Detroit Institute of Arts; the Cincinnati Art Museum; the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.; the North American Black Historical Museum, Ontario Canada; the Museum of African-American History, Detroit, Michigan; the Sloan Museum, Flint, Michigan; and the Detroit Historical Museum. His works have been collected by the governments of Zimbabwe, Egypt, Grenada, and Zambia.
Black and White photographs by G. Herb Gunn
East African BATIK – The Maasai
Jeanne selected an east African Batik showing Maasai people for the exhibit. This piece’s composition shows a group of adults and children moving forward to a new location. These batiks are very popular in the American art market; they are produced specifically for export from Africa to the US market. This work shows vibrant color consistent with the dress of the Maasai people of east Africa. The composition’s portrayal shows an extended family; the father figure holds the position of the protector in the rear.
Maasai people live primarily in Tanzania and Kenya; they still live traditional pastoral lives. Maasai are known for being fierce warriors and staunch advocates against the trans-Atlantic and Arabic slave trades. This was one of the very first pieces of original art that Hayes purchased for her collection.
Racial, national and ethnic identity precluded the hopes and dreams for far too many, for far too long. The American nation’s ability to recognize the beauty and humanity of various people increased after the civil rights movement. Hopefully, prayerfully, the gains made in recognizing the gifts and humanity of others will continue to increase even in these very difficult times.
These works can be seen at Desert Spring United Methodist Church, located at 120 N. Pavilion Center Dr. in Las Vegas, NV 89144. Schedule a tour of the works, which will be on display until April 2025, by contacting Jacquelyn Hayes, jhayes@havarts.org.