LATHRUP VILLAGE, Mich. — Michigan First Credit Union's Evergreen Branch recently doubled as an art gallery for Helen McIntyre Elementary School fourth graders. The idea for the student's exhibition, titled "Jazz, Showing its Roots: Tribute to Ed Bradley and Jacob Lawrence", was spearheaded by Delores A. Flagg, Art Teacher/Coordinator at McIntyre Elementary School.
According to Flagg, the purpose of the project was to give students a chance to study and understand the history of African American art, its influences, and the connection to their own lives.
Flagg said the motivation for the exhibit was Ed Bradley, the late African American journalist and 60 Minutes and CBS News correspondent who loved the visual and performing arts.
"He believed the arts enhanced every part of our lives," said Flagg. "Through images, shapes, colors and the colorful paintings of Jacob Lawrence, the students created their own expressions of jazz musicians, their lives and music. We took pride in being able to showcase our student's artwork beyond the boundaries of the classroom to the community."
McIntyre Elementary School also had the opportunity to showcase its exhibit at the Detroit Opera House Black History Month celebration of the Jacob Lawrence Project and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, "Colorography."
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