2015 highlights newsletter

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WINTER 2015 In February, the exhibit Sacred Spaces: A Look Inside the Home of Harlem Renaissance Poet Anne Spencer featured photographs by John M. Hall (NY). In February, the Legacy Museum of African- American History exhibited The Rhythm of Yesterday, including artifacts on loan from the Anne Spencer Museum Collection. S PRING 2015 In the spring of 2015, Theodore Deppe was named Randolph College’s Anne Spencer Poet-in-Residence and visited the Museum. In March, the Museum re-established a Master Partnership (originally formed in the 1980's) in Lynchburg City Schools’ Partners in Education Program. . In April, Warm Streets Gallery, Riverviews Artspace, exhibited A Soul to Clutch: Celebrating Anne Spencer. Local artists Karen Bowden, Geral Butler, Bruce Mabry, Veronica DeLuze, Susan Saandholland, Ann Van DeGraff, David Eakin and Cindy Vener contributed their original artwork. S UMMER 2015 In June, the exhibit Notebooks was on view, featuring newly discovered artifacts circa 1900- 1975. Open House & Saturday Night Salons took place in June, July and August. Poets, musicians, dancers and spectators enjoyed these cultural evenings in the garden. Fourth of July Fish Fry & Yard Sale! Vincent Anderson of Events Catering provided fresh fried flounder, fruit cobbler, mac & cheese, and green beans were homemade by volunteers– which all sold out! F ALL 2015 In September, The Pierce Street Renaissance Historic District erected its eighth Virginia Historic Highway Marker for Lynchburg educator, Pauline Weeden Maloney. In October, The 4th Annual Pierce Street Festival featured the Carolina African American Writer’s Collective of Raleigh, NC. Festival sponsors included Randolph College, Discover Lynchburg, Lynchburg Chapter of the NAACP, News & Advance and individual donations. The 24th Annual Anne Spencer Poetry Contest took place in October. (Details on page 2). During December, two grants were received from The Greater Lynchburg Community Trust and Easley Foundation. The Bank of the James, Moore & Giles and individuals contributed to the amount totaling $45,655 for the restoration of the metal roof (pictured left), electrical upgrade and insulating the Museum. Restoration was completed in November with the help of Lynchburg Restoration, Nelligan Insulation, and Boonsboro Electric. Education, Preservation & Community Outreach Celebrating Thirty-Nine Years 1977-2016 Newsletter Highlights 2015/Upcoming Events 2016 Judith Johnson, President of The Anne Spencer Memorial Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors enjoys a performance by Linda Gentry during the July 2015 Saturday Night Salon held in the garden.

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Get an overview of what has been going on at the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum in 2015 and the great things to come in 2016!

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WINTER 2015

In February, the exhibit Sacred Spaces: A Look Inside the Home of Harlem Renaissance Poet Anne Spencer featured photographs by John M. Hall (NY).

In February, the Legacy Museum of African-American History exhibited The Rhythm of Yesterday, including artifacts on loan from the Anne Spencer Museum Collection.

SPRING 2015

In the spring of 2015, Theodore Deppe was named Randolph College’s Anne Spencer Poet-in-Residence and visited the Museum.

In March, the Museum re-established a Master Partnership (originally formed in the 1980's) in Lynchburg City Schools’ Partners in Education Program. .

In April, Warm Streets Gallery, Riverviews Artspace, exhibited A Soul to Clutch: Celebrating Anne Spencer. Local artists Karen Bowden, Geral Butler, Bruce Mabry, Veronica DeLuze, Susan Saandholland, Ann Van DeGraff, David Eakin and Cindy Vener contributed their original artwork.

SUMMER 2015

In June, the exhibit Notebooks was on view, featuring newly discovered artifacts circa 1900-1975.

Open House & Saturday Night Salons took place in June, July and August. Poets, musicians, dancers and spectators enjoyed these cultural evenings in the garden.

Fourth of July Fish Fry & Yard Sale! Vincent Anderson of Events

Catering provided fresh fried flounder, fruit cobbler, mac & cheese, and green beans were homemade by volunteers– which all sold out!

FALL 2015

In September, The Pierce Street Renaissance Historic District erected its eighth Virginia Historic Highway Marker for Lynchburg educator, Pauline Weeden Maloney.

In October, The 4th Annual Pierce Street Festival featured the Carolina African American Writer’s Collective of Raleigh, NC. Festival sponsors included Randolph College, Discover Lynchburg, Lynchburg Chapter of the NAACP, News & Advance and individual donations.

The 24th Annual Anne Spencer Poetry Contest took place in October. (Details on page 2).

During December, two grants were received from The Greater Lynchburg Community Trust and Easley Foundation. The Bank of the James, Moore & Giles and individuals contributed to the amount totaling $45,655 for the restoration of the metal roof (pictured left), electrical upgrade and insulating the Museum. Restoration was completed in November with the help of Lynchburg Restoration, Nelligan Insulation, and Boonsboro Electric.

Education, Preservation & Community Outreach

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Judith Johnson, President of The Anne Spencer Memorial Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors enjoys a performance by Linda Gentry during the July

2015 Saturday Night Salon held in the garden.

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uring the month of October, the Foundation held its 24th Annual Poetry Contest.

There were 482 entries received from students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade. A panel of blind readers selected fifteen finalists based on their original written poetry. The finalists read their poetry in front of a live audience on Thursday, October 29 in the Carl Anderson Performing Arts Auditorium at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School of Innovation. A panel of judges selected three winners based on originality, content, and performance. Each winner received a $100 cash prize, All finalists received a inscribed “Lamp of Knowledge” medallion and a copy of the book, Anne Spencer Revisited.

CONTEST WINNERS

Kindergarten—3rd Grade Charles Hagman, “The Music in the Garden.” R.S. Payne Elementary School. Ms. Smith, teacher.

4th—8th Grade Faith Jacobs, “Dark and Quiet.” R.S. Payne Elementary School. Ms. Hoffman, teacher.

9th—12th Grade Elizabeth Driskill, “Contradiction.” E.C. Glass High School. Mrs. Worsham, teacher.

Look for 2016 Poetry Contest details online at www.AnneSpencerMuseum.com/Events

2

Poetry contest finalists who performed their poetry at

P.L. Dunbar Middle School of Innovation on October 26th

pictured with the Anne Spencer Museum’s Executive

Director, Shaun Spencer-Hester.

D

THE 24T H

ANNUAL ANNE

SPENCER POETRY CONTEST

The Anne Spencer Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations are tax deductible.

Donate or Pledge online at www.AnneSpencerMuseum.com/Donate

Mail form to: 1313 Pierce Street, Lynchburg, VA 24501

Lynchburg City Schools

Partner In Education

in a handmade reproduction of Anne Spencer’s original 1927 “Settle,” located on

the front porch at the Museum! A “Settle” is a wooden bench, usually with arms and a high back, that accommodates 2-3 sitters. The back can fold down to create a round table. The original pinewood settle was a gift to Anne Spencer on her birthday, February 6,1928.

The settle was handmade by Dunbar High School students and their instructor Novell O. White, Sr. The reproduction of the Settle shown in the photo above is recreated by Moore & Giles furniture designer Brandon Ulland, who completed the reproduction with hand tools like those used to construct the original settle.

The Settle is stained with natural plant dye stuffs, a Logwood dye solution, with potash alum and sealed with button-lac shellac. The three-layer finish, buffed to a satin sheen, presents a striking color, suitable for indoor and light outdoor use. The interior of the seat is finished in black leather from the Moore & Giles collection.

To purchase Raffle Tickets visit www.AnneSpencerMuseum.com/Donate

(1) One chance to win - $35

(6) Six chances to win - $175

(13)Thirteen chances to win - $350

Please specify “Raffle” when purchasing online. Your ticket stubs will be mailed to the address listed with your purchase. (Retail estimated value: $4,000)

Drawing held on April 21, 2016. Winners will be notified by phone on April 22, 2016. Call 434. 845.1313 for information. Good Luck!

Brandon Ulland, furniture maker for Moore & Giles

pictured with the original settle, which was painted black,

and the unfinished reproduction settle.

Thank you, Moore & Giles

for your support! 3

W WIN A ONE OF A KIND HANDMADE SETTLE!

SHOP ONLINE TO SUPPORT THE ANNE SPENCER MUSEUM

ORDER ONLINE at

www.AnneSpencerMuseum.com

Notecards by local artists Karen Bowden and Fay Harris are

available for $5/each. All note cards depict scenes from the

Anne Spencer House & Garden and include a white envelope.

Harlem Showcase Posters by artist Kevin Chadwick are

available for $10/each. Each poster is signed and numbered by

the artist. (Limited edition; 1 - 40)

Artists Karen Bowden, Faye Harris, Kevin Chadwick, Susan Saanholland and Robert Copelan donated their works to benefit the Anne Spencer Memorial Foundation. Nancy Marion created our user friendly website! Thank you artists for your in-kind donations!

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FEBRUARY

16 “Creative Conservations” Poetry Reading by Eduardo C. Corral, Randolph College’s Anne Spencer Poet-in-Residence, 2016. 7 p.m. Light refreshments provided.

MARCH

15 Docent Training Begins! Join us on third Tuesdays at the Museum, Noon Light refreshments will be provided.

APRIL

2 Book Signing by author, Darrell Laurant for his new book Inspiration Street, about the history of Pierce Street, 1 to 3 p.m. A portion of the book proceeds benefit The Anne Spencer Memorial Foundation, Inc.

26 Lynchburg Garden Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. House tours $5/person; garden is free.

MAY—AUGUST On First Fridays, the Museum will be open from 5 and 8 p.m. each month.

SEPTEMBER

24 The 5th Annual Pierce Street Festival 1970’s Theme

OCTOBER

27 The 25th Annual Poetry Contest Performances at P.L. Dunbar Middle School of Innovation.

SAVE-THE-DATES! Saturday Night Salons

June 11 / July 9 / August 13

6 to 8 p.m.

Join us on second Saturdays during the summer for open mic nights in the garden featuring special guest performances. Performers and spectators alike are welcome!

Free and open to the public. Refreshments and cash bar (beer & wine $3) provided.

OUT-OF-TOWN HAPPENINGS

On February 3, Strong Men & Women in Virginia History (formally African American Trailblazers in Virginia) Anne Spencer will be recognized as one of the 2016 honorees by the Library of Virginia and Dominion Foundation, Richmond, VA

April 13—16, the Split This Rock Poetry Festival in Washington, DC a panel discussion entitled “Anne Spencer’s Legacy: Home, Community, and the Poetry of Resistance.” Jackie Shelton Green, N.C., Piedmont Poet Laureate wrote the proposal.

Also in April, The Center for the Study of the American South at the University of North Carolina held a panel discussion with photographer John Hall, Jeffrey Beam, Shaun Spencer-Hester and Spencer’s biographer Dr. J. Lee Greene.

ARTIFACT FROM THE COLLECTION Anne Spencer

requested a built-in

telephone booth

located under the

front stairway so that

she may have her

telephone

conversations in

private. Edward, her

husband personally

accommodated her

request.

Operator Please!

POETRY & COLLECTIONS

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Sterling A. Brown

terling A. Brown was born in Washington, D.C., on May 1,

1901. He was educated at Dunbar High School and received a

bachelor’s degree from Williams College. He studied the work of Ezra

Pound and T. S. Eliot, but was more interested in the works of Amy

Lowell, Edgar Lee Masters, Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg. In 1923,

he earned a master’s degree from Harvard University and was

employed as a teacher at the Virginia Seminary and College in

Lynchburg until 1926. Three years later, Brown began teaching at

Howard University and in 1932 his first book, Southern Road, was

published and published this poem.

S Pictured left to right: Sterling A. Brown, Anne & Edward Spencer, c. 1920, in the garden at 1313 Pierce Street.

Photo credit: John M. Hall (NY)

A D V I S O R Y

B O A R D

M E M B E R S

J. Lee Greene, Ph.D.

Hiawatha Johnson, Jr.

Matthew Barry Johnson,

Ph.D.

Lori Lee

Reuben Rainey, Ph.D.

Jane Baber White

B O A R D O F

D I R E C T O R S

Gerald Cheatham

David Harris, M.D.

Jordan A. Hester

Judith C. Johnson

Leotis McMullen

Danni Schreffler

Evan Smith

Anna Howard Spencer

Shaun Spencer-Hester

1313 Pierce Street Lynchburg, VA 24501

Volunteers keep us moving forward! Join us every third Tuesday at 12 noon for docent training. Light snacks will be provided.

Jane Baber White has served as a volunteer

since 1983.

Thank you Jane for your dedication and

contribution!

434.845.1313 • www.annespencermuseum.com

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Other:

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Usually available (check all that apply):

Join our Volunteer Mailing List Sign up online, email us, or mail this form to:

The Anne Spencer Memorial Foundation, Inc. 1313 Pierce Street, Lynchburg, VA 24501

/AnneSpencerMuseum @AnneSpencerPoet

New Museum Hours Starting in May! Open Wednesdays—Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. / Saturday & Sunday By Appointment