ACTIVITIES AMONG NEGROES
The following news item has been received from the Art Center of New York City: "Negro artists from all parts of the United States, and some of those who study abroad, are now submitting work for consideration in the exhibit of art produced by those of the colored race which will be held at the Art Center, 65 East Fifty-sixth street, from February 16 to 28, 1931. The showing is sponsored by the Harmon Foundation and is the fourth of its kind to be conducted under this organization's auspices since 1926.
''George Gray Barnard, {George Grey Barnard} sculpture; Alon Bement, artist and director of the Art Center; Walter M. Grant of the department of exhibitions of the American Art association, Anderson Galleries; James Vernon Herring, head of the art department of Howard University; Winold Reiss, artist, and Arthur Schomburg, Negro antiquarian make up the jury which will selected from approximately 300 entries those which will go into the exhibition. The same jury will also decide upon the recipient of the Harmon Award in Fine Arts, which consists of a gold medal and a $400 honorarium; the exhibition prize of $250, which has been given by Otto Kahn, and other smaller prizes which may be announced later. The exhibit will occupy four galleries in the Art Center, and since this is the last of the annual series of such showings future exhibitions being biennial or triennial – it will summarize somewhat work that has been done in the past. It will contain oils, sculptures, etchings, lithographs, drawings and photographs.”
This column sincerely hopes that some of the colored art students in this district will immediately enter a specimen of their work for this exhibit. If Miss Ellinor Paul of this city had not entered the contest in art sponsored by the "Crisis" magazine, she perhaps would not have won the recognition as art editor in this internationally recognized magazine. It is of interest to note that during the recent exhibit of fine art by American Negroes held in the Oakland Art Gallery by the local N. A. A. C. P. through the courtesy of the Harmon Foundation, and the Federal Council of Churches, that many, if not all of the art instructors in the public schools and also those of the California School of Arts and Crafts, visited the exhibit. These instructors were surprised to find that there are so many Negro art students in the Eastbay cities. Among this number was noted Miss Angelesta Wrenn of Berkeley, who was so encouraged with the recognition accorded her race through this exhibit, wrote and published in the Oakland Independent, a fine article on the exhibit.
While it has been acknowledged by the chairman of publicity for the Harmon Foundation of the value of the large amount of publicity accorded the exhibit through The TRIBUNE, nevertheless some of the local magazines and papers contained some complimentary news items on the exhibit, notably the "Bystander," in its November issue, said: "An interesting exhibit of Negro art comprising paintings, drawings, photographs and etchings is now at the Oakland Art Gallery. The objective of this showing is to interest the public more fully in the Negro's creative accomplishments in the fine arts.
SECRETARY SPEAKS
Daily news Items are coming out of the south proving the sincerity and value of the commission on race relations cooperation of Atlanta, Ga., which under the leadership of Rev. Robert Eleazer, educational director, finds a definite change of attitude toward the Negro. A recent demonstration comes from Dallas, Texas, where the student body of the Southern Methodist University was addressed by Dr. Channing Tobius. The article states "that only good reactions have been heard to the visit to Southern Methodist University last month of Dr. Channing H. Tobias, national secretary of the Y. M. C. A., who delivered a chapel talk on "The Basis of Racial Adjustment," and on the same evening conducted a group discussion with faculty and student representatives.
"Dr. Tobias' coming was advertised editorially by the student publication, "The Campus," as an occasion on which, according to the editor, all would "gain a deeper respect and understanding concerning the problems of the two races." The same publication gave prominent space to a full report of the address, and followed it up some days later with commendatory editorial. Dr. Tobias was greatly pleased with the reception accorded him. The second editorial from "The Campus" is quoted:
"The spirit of friendship with which the student body received this first representative of the Negro race is significant. Color was forgotten in the vitality and earnestness and ease of the man's message. There was no servile defense of his race; rather was there a challenge to us to recognize the assets which his people possess. But it was not so much what he said as the spirit in saying it which was impressive.
"The Campus trusts that this is only the first of many such visits whereby understanding may lead to a solution of maladjustments between the two races."
COLLEGES RECOGNIZED
In another news item from this interracial commission is given further proof of the actual change of attitude. Throughout the south there are a number of schools and colleges maintained through the various churches and private funds for the Negro, as the public schools furnish very poor educational facilities for the average Negro citizen's children. This is the case wherever separate schools are maintained. A few years ago, through the Influence of Dr. R. R. Moton, principle of Tuskegee Institute, a large sum of money was raised by these various funds used for Negro colleges and universities, the object for which was to bring their teaching staff up to the average white college. Honorable Julius Rosenwald, personally having built many country schools for Negroes, also demanded that they be raised in scholarship. The result of this effort was made through the education cooperation of the race relation commission of Atlanta. A few weeks ago the Southern Association of College and Secondary Schools met in annual session. The news item states:
"For the first time in its history the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, in annual session here last week, add to the list of approved southern colleges and universities a number of institutions for Negroes, the schools certified being Fisk University. Nashville, Tenn.; John Smith University, Charlotte, N. C.; Morehouse College and Spellman College, Atlanta, Ga.: Talladega College. Talladega, Ala; Virginia State college, Petersburg; and Virginia Union university, Richmond. This action was taken by the executive committee composed of Professors H. M. lvey, of Meriden Mississippi; J.H. Highsmith, Raleigh, North Carolina, and T. H Jack, of Emory university, Atlanta.
“Fisk was rated as Class A institution having met in full the standards set up by the association. The other six schools are rated for the present as 'Class B' institutions, on the grounds that they do not meet in full one, or more of the association's standards. The practical effect of the association’s actions, however will be the same in the cases of all seven, in the credits and degrees conferred by them will hereafter be accepted without question by other institutions to which their alumni may go for further study."
EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION
Tho local branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, will observe the issuance of the emancipation proclamation whereby Negroes held in slavery were freed. They have prepared the following program to be observed in Herbert Hoover Junior high school January 1, from 10 a m. to 2 p. m. Master of ceremonies, Rev. H. T. S. Johnson, (president); Invocation, Rev. G. C. Coleman; singing by the united choirs of the Oakland colored churches reading of the proclamation issued in l864, by Miss Louise Tyler musical selection, by orchestra; address, Hon. G. E. Watkins, editor Western Appeal; Instrumental solo Madam Lillian Jeter Davis; three minute discussion, followed by vocal solo, Everett Boucree; benediction, Rev. Father D. R. Wallace.
CHRISTMAS DINNER
The North Oakland section of the Ladies General Aid society, of Taylor M. E. church served Christmas dinner last Sunday after morning service to the aged members of the church as their Christmas gift.
CHARITY CLUB MEET
The regular monthly meeting of the Mother’s Charity club was held Monday in the Fanny Wall Children Home and Day Nursery with their president, Mrs. Gertrude Jackson, presiding. The following appointments were made: Mrs. Gladys Baker, chairman of business; Mrs. Graco Matthews, chairman of education and literature, (she holds the same position in the California Federation of Colored Women’s clubs); Mrs. O. M. Ruffin, chairman of juvenile work; Mrs. Stevens accepted the appointment to attend the "Open Door" committee meeting of the Public Welfare league, and Mrs. Hattie Davis to attend the employment problems committee meeting of the league Thursday evening. Mrs. O. M. Ruffin, was appointed chairman to revise the constitution and by laws by the next meeting January 6, when delegates to the first reciprocity meeting will be reelected.
