OUR STORIES OUR VISIONS

Carl Maxey Center

OUR STORIES OUR VISIONS ARTISTS

OUR STORIES OUR VISIONS

Stephen Pitters

Biography

Stephen Pitters currently has eleven titles of poetry on Amazon and Kindle. The latest is “Aftermath”. He hosts the Spokane Open Poetry Program on Thin Air Community Radio, www.KYRS.ORG 88.1/92.3 fm for 14 years. He directs “Poetry Rising” a poetry, prose, music event at the South Hill Library. He holds Masters degrees in Clinical Social Work and Public Health.

Artist Statement

I use poetry as a means of self-expression and community involvement, encouragement, and collaboration for all ages.

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OUR STORIES OUR VISIONS

Stephen Marc

Biography

Stephen Marc is a Professor of Art in the Herberger Institute’s School of Art at Arizona State University, an ASU Evelyn Smith Endowed Professor of Art (2021-22), and a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow. Marc began teaching at ASU in 1998, following 20 years at Columbia College Chicago. He received his MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University in Philadelphia, PA; and his BA from Pomona College in Claremont, CA.

Marc’s most recent book: American/True Colors (2020) addresses who we are as Americans in a polarized country with changing demographics, from an African American perspective. It was a 2021 IPPY Gold Medalist for best book in the Photography category. Marc’s three earlier books include: Urban Notions (1983), addressing the three Illinois communities where he had family ties; The Black Trans-Atlantic Experience: Street Life and Culture in Ghana, Jamaica, England, and the United States (1992); and Passage on the Underground Railroad (2009), digital composites that provide insight into the historic sites, and the institution of slavery. His Passage on the Underground Railroad is registered as Arizona’s first and only Interpretative Program of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom division of the National Park Service.

Artist Statement

As a documentary/street photographer and digital montage artist, my focus is on politically and culturally relevant gatherings, as part of my ongoing work that collectively addresses who we are as Americans. Since 2019, I have been creating a series of digital “street story montages” along with photographs of public space events and everyday life that explore what is proving to be pivotal time in this country’s history.

American identity is a cultural combination of reality, idealism and myth. How we shape our environment, define ourselves and recognize each other as Americans is culturally complex, socially charged, historically layered, and constantly in flux. As a photographer, I am interested in the photograph as an interpretative document; and as a digital montage artist, exploring the ways and reasons to combine photographs to extend the visual narrative, considering the constructive nature of memory as an informed witness.

This selection of work focuses on the African American community, where most of the photographs come from my recent book: American/True Colors.

https://art.asu.edu/student-and-faculty-work/stephen-marc?dept=160341&id=1

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Robert Lloyd

Biography

Robert Lloyd worked for CORE and SCLC in Chicago from 1962-1967. After working at Menlo-Atherton High School and Stanford University, in 1974 he completed an MFA in Design and Photography at California Institute of the Arts and began teaching photography at Eastern Washington University.

He founded, directed, and curated The Grand Photography Gallery at Eastern Washington University and The Lloyd Gallery at 123 Arts. From 1996-2000 he founded and published a community newspaper, the Spokane African American Voice. He retired from Eastern Washington University in 2004 after 30 years of teaching photography and digital imaging. After his retirement he photographed in South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, China and Japan. He can be reached at rdlloyd@comcast.net and website 4comculture.com.

Artist Statement

In 2020, the slogan was heard around the world: Black Lives Matter. I found it absurd that Black people were on a mission to get White Americans to accept the fact that Black lives matter. It is my belief that Black lives have always mattered. We only need to listen to the song as we sang it in the Civil Rights Movement, taking off from Paul Robeson’s lyrics “That’s why darkies were born”: Somebody had to pick the cotton, somebody had to plant the corn, somebody had to build a great nation, that’s why darkies were born.

https://4comculture.com/253-2

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Afaria Duke

man mythical poet, hue man 

Artist Statement

I want to express my feelings rather than illustrate them.

I channel my medium for creation through various tools such as, paint brushes, thread, metal, wood, earth, and copper.

My motto “my art 🖼 does not fit into one box 📦”

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Denise Roberson

Biography

Denise Roberson’s mother taught her how to sew when Denise started middle school. Many years later, her mother asked her to attend a doll-making class. That was over thirty years ago. Denise creates little sistahs using the female form as inspiration. She believes women are powerful, strong, and capable. The theme of powerful women is evident in her work. Denise writes stories for her little sistahs, giving you a little insight into the sistahs character.

Artist Statement

For over thirty years, I have taken flat pieces of fabric and created 3-dimensional figures, my Little Sistahs. When she is fully dressed, her hair and make-up done, she is ready for her story. We sit down at the computer, select a name and write her story. The Little Sistah is now ready for her debut. I want people to find something they can relate to when they see my dolls. I want them to realize the power and beauty of women and recognize we all have something to give.

Story for the Dolls with a shell

Power to the “V”

“IT” is called many things, Vi-Jay-Jay, Yoni, Box, Snapper, and the one we all learned on the playground, Pussy. Reviled and revered, condemned and celebrated. Yet, “IT” is the sacred gateway to life and a beautiful flower that should be honored and protected. The cowrie shell is an ancient symbol of fertility and prosperity.
Many cultures have used the cowrie shell as currency

https://www.littlesistahswittudesshop.com/

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carl richardson

Biography

My name is Carl Richardson and I have lived in Spokane for the past 25 years. I am a practicing artist and an Instructor of Art at Spokane Falls Community College. I moved the Northwest to pursue my MFA from Washington State University. Prior to moving to Washington, I lived in Florida. I completed my Bachelor’s degree from the HBCU Florida A&M University.

Artist Statement

I am a 2D artist with a primary interest in printmaking and drawing. The subject and content of my work varies and is influenced by music, conversations, observations, and the state of the world. The consistent thread in my work is my love of formal structure and design. I often use the golden mean or other geometric layouts as a foundation for my compositions. Through the act of creating I am able to express thoughts and feelings that would otherwise remain silent.

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