Bogalusa artist preparing painting for Obama

BY MARCELLE HANEMANN
The Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Friday, May 8, 2009 10:01 AM CDT


Nationally recognized Bogalusa artist Alvin Carter has been busy the past few months with a collapsed lung and a studio move. But that almost pales in comparison to what he’s up to now.

The dreadlocked man who has regularly expressed his heritage and his community through his unique, distinctive and very colorful paintings and murals, is now working on a piece for President Barack Obama. And anybody who wants to check his progress can visit the studio, at 509 E. 4th St., just off Columbia Street, during an open house Saturday, May 9 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Open House will also include an exhibit of Carter’s other work, plus registration for his WEDA (We Da Artist) summer art classes for youth.

Nationally recognized Bogalusa artist Alvin Carter works on a piece he will present to President Barack Obama on ‘Juneteenth,’ June 19, in Washington D.C. Carter will have an Open House, exhibit and registration for his summer art classes Saturday at his studio, just off Columbia Street on E. 4th Street. DAILY NEWS PHOTO/Marcelle Hanemann

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But back to Obama. Carter has long been associated with the celebration of Juneteenth, and the movement to make it a national holiday.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the last slaves were finally freed in Texas.

Thirty states, including Louisiana and Illinois, have since declared Juneteenth a state holiday. And as a U.S. senator from Illinois, Obama co-sponsored legislation to take it nationwide.

This year, President Obama is scheduled to take part in the Juneteenth festivities in Washington D.C., and as the “national Juneteenth artist,” Carter was chosen to render and then present a piece called “The President Barack Obama Trail.”

The work is approximately three feet long and about half-way done.

It depicts the historic path of African-Americans, from slavery to the White House.

On one end, a shackled foot first steps on American soil and the pointed spike of slavery. Events and people, both black and white, who impacted the cause of freedom, are pictured. The profile of Obama, framed by the White House, looks back through time.

“I’ve been preparing all my life to do this one painting,” said Carter. “I’m excited. I don’t know where it might end up.”

The artist said he plans to finish the piece in the next couple of weeks so he can have prints made and available by Juneteenth. He said he’s humbled by the significance.

“I’m honored to have been chosen to create this masterpiece of art work,” said Carter. “I invite everyone to come and view this potentially history-making painting.”

Visitors will also get to see at least a piece of what could be dubbed “the Carter trail,” including works with local social significance painted across decades. And they can sign their children up for summer classes with the artist.

“Unfortunately, there are no grants at this time to help jump-start the program,” said Carter. “This is why parents and guardians must step up and help me provide a place for talented youths to learn and develop their God-given talents.”

The $50 fee includes all materials and art supplies. The classes will meet three days a week, from 10 a.m. through noon, for six weeks this summer, and will culminate with an outdoor Art Festival.

Classes will be limited, and applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We are all familiar with the African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’” said Carter. “However, if you don’t have art, there is no village. Your entire life, history and culture are within the arts-music, visual arts, dance, food, spiritual and drama.

“As a nationally recognized artist, I can inspire and encourage our talented youth, but it’s up to the parents and guardians to support them in their efforts.”

For additional information, call Carter at 750-8126.

Copyright © 2010 Daily News

Comments

    Patm wrote on May 15, 2009 5:09 PM:

    " To rusty...he put bush on the chooper and got him out of Washington!!!!!! "

    r wrote on May 12, 2009 8:26 AM:

    " to ashamed to be from LA, I didn't vote for Mccain/Palin because I liked her or him. i voted for them because ACORN had their operatives out during the Rep. Primaries to get the easiest rep. to beat voted in to run against hussein obama. I had to vote for them because I had to vote against nobama. I think you can see why now. This doofis is spending my money like water. And why should I be getting kids to his class? I already pay for their housing, food, education. "

    Ms. Vegas wrote on May 12, 2009 3:12 AM:

    " I see times are still a sad state of affairs in Bogalusa. It seems that the Jewish along with a few other ethic groups are the only people that should be recognize-paid for their suffering, very seldom the Blacks or the native Indians. Until alot of the false glamourized American history books and holiday reenactments, along with the TV movies etc, tell the real and correct truth, America will never find peace. Telling the real truth is not being politically correct, it is being "correct" about the truth from the start. Kudo's Mr. Carter. "

    Jo Ann Zeringue wrote on May 11, 2009 6:30 PM:

    " I say bravo to Mr. Alvin Carter on his painting and best wishes to him on his work. My friend Sarah and I had the opportunity to visit his studio and see his work firsthand. He is a very talented artist, as well as, dedicated youth advocate. This is not the venue to voice political opinions or matters of race. We should be congratulating Mr. Carter and conveying our hopes that he gets the recognition that he deserves as an artist and a member of our community. "

    rusty wrote on May 11, 2009 4:36 PM:

    " to PatM: maybe the Daily News is the only paper that will admit that we didn't have a fair election. With all of the early cheating, the ACORN scnadals. He has never done anything to deserve respect. WHAT HAS HE EVER DONE???? "

    curious wrote on May 11, 2009 2:49 PM:

    " Ok Mr. Brooks help me understand this one. Some can call others racist fools and ignorant but others should not respond. This is all so confusing! But the ones calling others ignorant are the ones with the lower test scores. Ain't it funny how that all works??? "

    Patricia Clemons wrote on May 10, 2009 11:44 AM:

    " Alvin, continue to do what you do. Will the prints be available for sale? I would be interested, once I can see the item.

    As for the people who have written in, with the negatives, I know that you know that God has a special place for them.
    Keep up the good work. "

    PatM wrote on May 9, 2009 10:03 PM:

    " Why can't the daily news paper call him President Obama..not just Obama. Accept it he is our President and deserves respect!!!And if anyone wants to live in the dark racist days stay in your houses,barns or whatever you living in now.....those days are over!!!OUR President is trying to bring us all toughter as one.And if you do not know by now he will die trying!! And Mr. Carter keep up the good work! We should be trying to hep him put kids in his class and off the street.When was the last time you read something postive on 4th st. "

    Ashamed to be from LA wrote on May 9, 2009 8:55 PM:

    " Just as I expected, a bunch of RED NECK's giving their Back Woods opinion; why am I not surprised. People like you waste no time in displaying how ignorant, uneducated and just plain stupid you are. It’s how Republican V P (that’s vice president for the more ignorant ones) Canidate Sarah P. got to you, I watched her play up to your red neck ignorance and you bought it, hook, line and sinker because she knew just how dumb you were and it shows every time you comment about someone from another race other than your’n "

    Rusty wrote on May 9, 2009 8:32 AM:

    " Mary, just because his mother was white doesn't mean that slavery wasn't in her ancestory. Public schools won't tell you about the Irish being enslaved. And even if obama's ancestors had been enslaved how would that have affected him? It's no longer black and white. It is working and non working. I am merely a bond slave for the govt. I work, they take my money, and they dole it out to people that do nothing. So now I am a slave. If slavery was wrong then it is wrong now. "

    hollygrove wrote on May 9, 2009 8:13 AM:

    " Jacob, you will post the comments that call me an ignorant racist but you won't let me state the truth. The fact is the black community voted for Obama because he is black. You know it and I know it. I guess it is politically correct to call me names but not for me to state the truth. I am not mad with you, I am just dissapointed. "

    deedee wrote on May 9, 2009 12:31 AM:

    " Wow where was the person that was suppose to edit the comments made? You might get really busy in the near future, those were some pretty hard hitting comments. "

    MICHAEL WILLIAMS wrote on May 8, 2009 11:27 PM:

    " Thanks for recognizing Mr. Carter. For all you who claim to be Christians, it obvious that you are not practicing the faith and I WILL PRAY FOR YOU. Christ is the God of love, He commands his follows to love everybody. As sick as you are Christ still love you, however don’t take is love for a weakness. "

    Same old Bogalusa wrote on May 8, 2009 7:28 PM:

    " Oh did I forget to mention the fact that it only takes one person to start change. You all spend so much time trying to keep the little bit that you have til you block every blessing you could be given. This small town could be heaven on earth if everyone came together for the greater good and invested time into the kids, got rid of the dumb drug dealers, white and black, and open your little minds. Give the people something else to do besides drinking, smoking and making brother cousins and sister cousins cause everyone messing with everyone. "

    Same old Bogalusa wrote on May 8, 2009 7:17 PM:

    " I'd like to say thank God I moved my son away from the sad town of Bogalusa. Five years before Katrina incase you wanted to know. I can't believe the wonderful people of Bogalusa are still so divided. You know there's a great big world out there beyond the city limits and it might just do you'll some good to explore that other world. And guess what you don't have to forget about God in the process. They say God takes care of fools and babies so I guess your all taken care of. God bless "

    Mary wrote on May 8, 2009 5:57 PM:

    " Mr. Carter I admire you God given talent. I don't think that Mr. Obama can relate to slavery since his dad was not from the United States and his mother was white. But, I guess he will catch whatever photo op he can to benefit his agenda. Good luck to you in your future endeavors. "

    Here We Go Again wrote on May 8, 2009 2:29 PM:

    " You racist uneducated fools! Please pick up a book and read from time to time. You just might learn something. "

    Dee wrote on May 8, 2009 2:26 PM:

    " You people are so sad. you. You are a bunch of ignorant racist uneducated fools. I feel so sorry for you people. HA! GET OVER IT "

    rusty wrote on May 8, 2009 10:28 AM:

    " So hussein obama can't participate in National Prayer Day, which is a national holiday but he can participate in juneteenth. He can't pray because he is a stealth muslim. "

    hollygrove wrote on May 8, 2009 10:26 AM:

    " That's right Carter, it's up to the parent's to step up, but they won't. Just like they didn't step up for their kids to go to the technology school. The parents don't care because their kids are just another check to them. And by the way, how can you be a hussein obama supporter while at the same time believing that a talent is a gift of God. Obama is obviously not a man that believes in God. Just look at his stance on abortion and homosexuality. "

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