A Screening & Talk Back honoring Norman Parish

MODERATOR:

Deidre McPherson

Deidre McPherson, Chief Community Officer at the Assembly for the Arts, is a cultural liaison, creative producer, and entrepreneurial strategist dedicated to bridging the gap between artists, communities, and institutions. Her passion for recognizing the creative talent in her community and connecting artists to the public through events and opportunities has been at the core of her work. Her advocacy for Black and Brown and LGBTQ+ creatives enables her to be a prominent force in the collective shift towards equity in Northeast Ohio.

PANELISTS:

Rhonda K. Brown

Rhonda K. Brown is the daughter of Ernestine and Malcolm Brown, co-founders of the Malcolm Brown Gallery, one of the first for-profit Black-owned galleries in the country and also in the Midwest. The gallery was founded in Cleveland and open from 1980-2011. It represented Black master artists including: Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Selma Burke, Hughie Lee Smith, and Charles Sebree among many others. In addition to being a dynamic space for viewing and collecting African American Art, the gallery filled an important gap in the cultural arts sphere where patrons not only learned about the expanse African American art and artist movements, they were able to meet the artists and collect their work. Rhonda recently returned home this summer as Mayor Justin Bibb appointed her to the anticipated and inaugural Senior Strategist Arts, Culture & Creative Economy role. She is also an artist with a vibrant painting practice and enjoyed a 28 year career in not profit leadership in Chicago.

Wadsworth Jarell

A painter and photographer, 1958, graduated from The School of the Art institute of Chicago-4Yr. Diploma. 1973 MFA Howard University, Washington, D.C. Member of OBASI (Organization of Black American Culture)-Painted “Rhythm and Blues” Section on Wall of Respect Mural-1967. 1968 founding member of AFRICOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artist). Jarrell has lectured and participated in panel discussions nationally and internationally. Written articles in publications and a book, AFRICOBRA: Experimental Art Toward a School of Thought, published by Duke University Press in 2020. His work has been exhibited and collected nationally and internationally, including at Institute of American Indian Art, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Howard University Collection, Washington, DC, Shomberg Center Collections, New York, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI, Hampton University, Collections, Hampton, VA, Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Atlanta Public Library, both in Atlanta.

Norman Parish III

Norman Parish III, a former Plain Dealer reporter, is the oldest son of the late artist and gallerist Norman Parish Jr. The younger Parish has worked as a journalist in seven states and written several articles on the black arts. He is the associate producer of "Walls of Respect."

Parish is currently a deputy managing editor at the Chicago Sun-Times.

David Ramsey

Founder and lead curator of Deep Roots Experience, David Ramsey is a lifelong resident of Cleveland, Ohio, growing up on the city's east side. Recognizing the important role art played in his life, David pursued artistic expression with the encouragement of his mother. Art as an outlet became a way to share with and engage the community. Using art to “Curate the Culture”, or tell the story of his community, has been the motto of Deep Roots Experience since its opening in July of 2018. An idea birthed from 2 years of using art programming to impact youth, Deep Roots exist as a safe space for Black and Brown artist to exist absent the pressure of conforming to traditional art experiences. Deep Roots also hosts and offers art programming 12 months a year at no cost to youth and young people.