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Charlie Palmer, whose work will be on display at the Sarasota Bayfront Community Center as part of the Visible Men Academy’s “Visible Art Grows Hearts” show starting Wednesday, Jan. 31, has been around for decades. I have created art. But I have to admit that the last few years have been exceptional for him.
First, he was chosen by musician John Legend to create the cover portrait for his Grammy Award-winning album. greater love The album will be released in 2020. In the same year, he received the following request: time We created the cover and illustrations for the magazine “America Must Change” July 2020 issue. Just before arriving in Sarasota next week, a ceremony will be held in New York City to mark his 47th birthday.th A Black Heritage stamp (designed by Palmer) honoring Constance Baker Motley, the first African-American woman to serve as a federal judge and argue before the U.S. Supreme Court.
And as if that wasn’t enough, a book by Palmer and his wife, new brownie Book: A Love Letter to Black Families, which just came out a few months ago. Palmer is very, very busy.
How did it all happen? Palmer says: I can’t give any other reason. ”
However, he adds: “Let’s face the facts. I’ve been doing this job for 40 years, so my name is known to the public. When the U.S. Postal Service contacts me. [about the stamp], I thought, “That’s right.” And the other day, I got a job on my dream project to play a superhero on the cover of a graphic novel. I said, “We’ll only do it if she can be biracial or black,” and they said yes. I only want to work on projects that I believe in and that I can put my heart and soul into. ”
new brownie book This work is especially close to Palmer’s heart because he was able to work on it with his wife, sociologist Kalida Brown, and because of his respect for the original work. brownie bookis a landmark publication published in 1920 through the work of sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist WEB Du Bois. “Du Bois sent telegrams and letters to some of the best black writers, asking them to contribute works written for children,” Palmer explains. “Although he had little money, many writers responded, including a young Langston Hughes.” Palmer and his wife pitched the idea of publishing a new book a century later to artists and writers in much the same way. “Black children need to know that we love them and believe in them, especially after the murders of George Floyd and Michael Brown and others,” Palmer said. (Published by Chronicle Books, new brownie Book We also sell online. )
This effort helps explain Palmer’s appearances here in Sarasota, where he is affiliated with the Visible Men Academy. VMA is a tuition-free, kindergarten through fifth grade, boys-only public charter school serving students in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The system is designed to guide boys toward “realizing their strong innate character as family-oriented, community-minded, and world-minded boys.”
Palmer didn’t know much about the VMA and its mission before this project was brought to him, but said: I work with many galleries, and this gallery came to me through Watercolors Fine Art Gallery, which is based in Memphis. ” The “Visible Art Grows Hearts” event here is his third, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the artwork will be donated to his VMAs.
Palmer added that when he visits cities he tries to run one program with young people, which he finds scary. He says, “I don’t get too nervous about adults, but it’s very important to leave something behind for young people. It makes me feel humble.”
Exhibition hours are free and open to the public: January 31st from noon to 7pm (cocktail reception 5pm to 7pm), February 1st from 10am to 7pm; It’s from 10am to 4:30pm. The afternoon meet-and-greet with Palmer will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Feb. 2, all at the center located at 803 N. Tamiami Trail. For more information about the show, visit visiblemenacademy.org.
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