Ernest Crichlow, distinguished African American master, needs no introduction — especially with colleagues such as Romare Bearden, Norman Lewis, Jacob Lawrence and Charles Alston. In 1930 Ernest Crichlow joined the Harlem Artists Guild under the tutelage of Augusta Savage. He began exploring the field of fine art and integrating personal, social, and communal commentary into his work. This was a brisk change since his formal training was in illustration at New York University and the Arts Student League. “Highlights of his long career include a one man show as guest artist at the Afro-American Artists Museum in Philadelphia in 1969 and exhibitions at the Boston Museum of Fine Art, Newark Museum, New York World’s Fair and the Institute of Modern Art, Boston. He was one of 10 Black Artists from the National Conference of Artists honored at the White House during the Carter Administration.”

Using a warm palette and highly textured composition, April beautifully captures subject in a state of inner spirituality. The art of April Harrison features an intricate media mix of layered paints, powders, and other artistic materials that combine to create vibrant, color rich works of art. April’s images primarily deal with family, bonding, friendships, self-affirmations, and inner spirituality. A self-taught artist, April’s artistic talents have been featured in Chrisena Coleman’s book, Just Between Girlfriends, published by Simon and Schuster. April has also been a featured guest on the PBS-TV art education program Impressions.

This South Carolina native has also had her work exhibited at the Greenville County Museum of Art, the Greenville Cultural Exchange Center, the Governors School of the Arts Summer Gala and International Art Expo, New York. The art of April Harrison can be found in art galleries throughout the United States. April is an active member of Exodus-An Artist Collective, Art 2000, and Upstate Visual Arts.

Bisa Butler is one of a few dozen artists who will be a part of the exhibit Wonderfully Made: African-American Fine Art in the Atrium at 6 Court St. in Morristown. On view Jan. 29-March 18, the other artists include Romare Bearden and Curlee Raven Holton, among others.

Ms. Butler has a wonderful, to-the-point artist statement:

“I want to make portraits of people that speak to the viewer on different levels. I want to be able to communicate who my subject is, their personality, and their lifestyle-not just what they look like. Using fiber as a medium allows me to say much more about my subjects. We respond to fiber differently than we do other mediums. When people see my work their first instinct is to touch it. Not only are their eyes getting a message, but their tactile senses are intrigued. Some of my work looks luxurious-you want to feel that smooth cool satin. Others are warm and make you feel comforted-you want to feel their softness. Still others are sturdy and worn, translating the roughness of the subject.

“I find people infinitely interesting, and I am always challenged to try and represent the multi-layers of the human psyche in an artistic medium.

“I made a quilt for my grandmother on her deathbed and I have been quilting ever since. With fiber art, I feel that I have finally tapped into a way to communicate emotion, art, heritage, tradition, and beauty to those who view my work.”

A painting major at Howard University, Ms. Butler started adding fabric to paintings “because Romare Bearden did that in some of his collages. Little by little the fabric took over the canvas.”

The Urban Cubist from Brooklyn New york.
Graduate of Parsons School of Design.
New York City Art teacher.

“My paintings combine the drama inherent in seventeenth century Dutch painting with the brush work and the economy of the Impressionists. However, I look to the jazz idiom more so than to other contemporary visual artists for guidance and inspiration. I tend to measure the success of my pieces by how they stand up technically, emotionally and innovatively to a Coltrane solo or whether I’ve captured the spirit of the occasion, a la Ellington. The subject matter, sometimes nostalgic recollections of my days as a young tough, covers a myriad of common folk activities. The setting usually my native Chester, is a beehive of creative stimulation or a deteriorating ghetto depending on my state of mind. At the very least, hopefully, these vignettes of experience will help to provide insight into some African American lifestyles and serve as an inspiration to my students and others to continue the legacy of African American participation in the arts.”