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selected was a refection of my personal experiences.
For me, my collection serves as a visual testament
that speaks to the core of who I am. These pieces of
artwork are my daily afrmation of both my struggles
and successes. When I look at the painting Day’s
Wages by artist Harry Roseland, I am reminded of the
sacrifces that my parents made to ensure a better life
for me and my siblings, and my willingness to do the
same for my own children. Hanging in my kitchen is
the painting Strawberries by artist Brenda Joysmith.
Each time I look at it, I see myself as a little girl helping Palm Tree of Deborah by Adriene Cruz
my mother get fresh fruit ready to be placed in mason
jars so it could be enjoyed by our family during the
cold days of winter. I laugh out loud when I look at the
painting The Brothers by artist Malvin Gray Johnson
because it takes me back to summer vacations on a
farm in Virginia where my parents were born and raised.
There were two brothers that we played with when we
visited each summer. They always wore coveralls and
some type of cap on their heads. Whenever we took
photographs of them, they always smiled broadly and
My family and friends have dubbed me the “Collecting gave each other a tight, arm-over-shoulder hug. On
Queen,” a title that I admit is well deserved. I have been days when I convince myself that the daily grind is for
amassing collections of whatnots since I was a young naught, I have but to look at Ruth Russell Williams’
girl, from everything resembling a butterfy to stamps painting The Graduation, and suddenly, I fnd myself
from around the world. As an adult, my collections seated at the commencement exercises of one of my
became a bit more meaningful (at least that’s what I children, dressed in my fnest outft, waiting for my turn
thought). A lover of tea, I started collecting ceramic to say, “That’s my baby.”
teapots. Surely, the tea would be tastier served in
these delightfully decorated vessels. Although they did Each and every painting in my collection serves as an
add to the ambience of teatime, they also contributed inspiration when I fnd myself in a rut, motivation when
signifcantly to my unintentional collection of dust. I am sure I cannot go one step further, and that which
And then I discovered the world of Black dolls. How keeps me grounded when I forget the tribulations of
could one go wrong with a collection of beautiful those who paved the path upon which I walk so
porcelain dolls with their penetrating eyes and woeful freely today.
expressions? To my surprise, they seemed to multiply
while I was sleeping and soon occupied every curio Yes, I am still the “Collecting Queen,” but to that
cabinet, free foor space and shelf in the house. When title I now add “with a purpose.” I am proud of my
my children were certain that the dolls’ eyes were collection of African-American artwork and proclaim
following them, my dolls became yet another collection my admiration and gratitude for the extremely talented
that got packed away. artists who’ve given me something meaningful to
collect.
The one collection that remains prominent in my home
today is my collection of African-American artwork. Sharon Cannon
Quickly, I discovered that each of these pieces that I Administrator, Cheyney University
Cheyney, PA Basic Black II by Cal Massey
103
102 103
selected was a refection of my personal experiences.
For me, my collection serves as a visual testament
that speaks to the core of who I am. These pieces of
artwork are my daily afrmation of both my struggles
and successes. When I look at the painting Day’s
Wages by artist Harry Roseland, I am reminded of the
sacrifces that my parents made to ensure a better life
for me and my siblings, and my willingness to do the
same for my own children. Hanging in my kitchen is
the painting Strawberries by artist Brenda Joysmith.
Each time I look at it, I see myself as a little girl helping Palm Tree of Deborah by Adriene Cruz
my mother get fresh fruit ready to be placed in mason
jars so it could be enjoyed by our family during the
cold days of winter. I laugh out loud when I look at the
painting The Brothers by artist Malvin Gray Johnson
because it takes me back to summer vacations on a
farm in Virginia where my parents were born and raised.
There were two brothers that we played with when we
visited each summer. They always wore coveralls and
some type of cap on their heads. Whenever we took
photographs of them, they always smiled broadly and
My family and friends have dubbed me the “Collecting gave each other a tight, arm-over-shoulder hug. On
Queen,” a title that I admit is well deserved. I have been days when I convince myself that the daily grind is for
amassing collections of whatnots since I was a young naught, I have but to look at Ruth Russell Williams’
girl, from everything resembling a butterfy to stamps painting The Graduation, and suddenly, I fnd myself
from around the world. As an adult, my collections seated at the commencement exercises of one of my
became a bit more meaningful (at least that’s what I children, dressed in my fnest outft, waiting for my turn
thought). A lover of tea, I started collecting ceramic to say, “That’s my baby.”
teapots. Surely, the tea would be tastier served in
these delightfully decorated vessels. Although they did Each and every painting in my collection serves as an
add to the ambience of teatime, they also contributed inspiration when I fnd myself in a rut, motivation when
signifcantly to my unintentional collection of dust. I am sure I cannot go one step further, and that which
And then I discovered the world of Black dolls. How keeps me grounded when I forget the tribulations of
could one go wrong with a collection of beautiful those who paved the path upon which I walk so
porcelain dolls with their penetrating eyes and woeful freely today.
expressions? To my surprise, they seemed to multiply
while I was sleeping and soon occupied every curio Yes, I am still the “Collecting Queen,” but to that
cabinet, free foor space and shelf in the house. When title I now add “with a purpose.” I am proud of my
my children were certain that the dolls’ eyes were collection of African-American artwork and proclaim
following them, my dolls became yet another collection my admiration and gratitude for the extremely talented
that got packed away. artists who’ve given me something meaningful to
collect.
The one collection that remains prominent in my home
today is my collection of African-American artwork. Sharon Cannon
Quickly, I discovered that each of these pieces that I Administrator, Cheyney University
Cheyney, PA Basic Black II by Cal Massey
103
102 103
