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Prints and Drawings from the Karamu Workshop: 1929-1941 @ Cleveland Artists Foundation 1/19 Take a look back in time at genuine expressions from our region's African-American artists at the Cleveland Artists Foundation exhibit of visual works from the early part of the twentieth century created by a group of artist sometimes known as Karamu Artists. Inc. On display are linocuts, watercolors, oil paintings and sketches. Fred Carlo and William E. Smith created gritty linocuts of local city scenes; the factories, neighborhoods, tool sheds, streetscapes and working-class people of their experience. The irregular lines and over-all dark tone of these pieces depicts a life of struggle and hard work. Some sketches by these two artists and others are less inspiring, more straight forward.

The most polished and compelling pieces in the show are two linocuts by Elmer W. Brown created in 1935 entitled Woodcarver and Fortune Teller. These works are exquisitely rendered, their rich line quality is smooth and dynamic. The two unusual characters depicted are probably people from his world at the time, working people with energetic personalities which are expertly shown to us through this unusual medium and the artists skill. Turns out he was a friend of Langston Hughes and illustrated some of his children's books as well. Mr. Brown also has on display some large oil paintings in an industrial style common to the early part of the twentieth century which are less dramatic, much more softly rendered and less captivating than the his linocuts.

This exhibit runs through early March, and can be found at the Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. While at the Beck Center, check out Reflections in Watercolor right across the lobby in the Jean Bulicek Gallery. These dreamy watercolor paintings with selective areas of detail by Patricia Sigmier will have you contemplating warmer, brighter days, like the ones depicted in her paintings of flowers and street scenes. Her control of this transparent medium and exuberant color usage is refreshing and evocative.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Carol Drummond carolATdrummondesign.com
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