Art Class Schedule
August 2011
Art Instructors
LaMar Barber was raised in a family full of creative talent on the west side of Detroit, MI. He always knew his abilities were a gift but it was not until he found his own creative hand that he realized art would be his profession. A graduate of the Atlanta College of Art, Barber's work has been feature in several exhibitions and noted publications. A quote by James Baldwin best describes Barber’s work: "If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.” Barber states that his work is about getting back to God in a communal sense. His work centers on identity, extremity of character and the need to be freed from both. Each work is liken to a parable; immersed in earth, though designed to illustrate a spiritual principle. Since art is a language by which one can express oneself and it is said that self-expression is a natural desire we all have and one of the best ways to find peace of mind, he believes his appointment as an Art Educator is to cultivate an
LaMar Barber environment of self-expression through the arts. He believes that self-awareness viaself-expression allows for a deeper learning capacity and a better overall experience inside and outside the classroom.
LaMar Barber environment of self-expression through the arts. He believes that self-awareness viaself-expression allows for a deeper learning capacity and a better overall experience inside and outside the classroom.
For as long as she can remember Georgia born artist, Meisha Card has always had a love for the arts. Meisha spent most of her school age years in Anderson, SC & Columbia, SC. Her earliest memory of drawing stems from her time spent as a Kindergarten student in a public elementary school in Anderson, SC. After drawing a self-portrait for a class display at a Kindergarten open house, she remembers parents & teachers being amazed at how realistic & accurate her portrait was. At age 9, she was selected by her school to attend Project Challenge, a weekly fine arts program held in conjunction with Anderson County Public Schools for talented & gifted youth in the areas of arts & science. Here she was exposed to various forms of visual & performing arts. Although she dabbled in music & theater, drawing & painting remained her true love.
As a high school student Meisha was delegated by her church Sunday School to serve as youth artist at their First Annual Book Signing & Tea.
Meisha CardThe event was established to honor accomplished individuals of outstanding talent & raise funds for a community youth center for performing & visual arts. Here she met the late world- renowned artist, author and illustrator, Tom Feelings, who spoke about the making of his soul-stirring book, The Middle Passage.
Meisha was invited, along with her Sunday School Superintendent, to visit with Mr. Feelings at his home studio. She was immediately inspired by Mr. Feelings' passion for his work & his ability to capture the beauty & strength of the children & adults pictured in his drawings. This encounter would lead Meisha to desire to write and illustrate children's books, prompting her to research the topic extensively.
Meisha holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina and has done graduate work in the area of School Psychology. She has worked to advocate for the needs & rights of a number of families & children in both South Carolina & Georgia through participation in several research studies & service in the areas of public education, early-childhood education, family literacy, and & social service. Her passion for children, particularly those who have been misdiagnosed and placed in special education, led her to found Threshing Floor Academy,a children’s art and music program that provides quality and innovative art and music programming to families and children with the mission of helping them find their God given purpose in life. Overtime the program will evolve into a full fledged school with a strong emphasis on the arts, family involvement and purpose identification and pursuit.
“Artists, like educators, are cultivators of the heart & mind, possessing the ability to plant seeds of inspiration, affirmation, perseverance, & conviction that will reap a harvest of purpose, triumph, & destiny fulfilled in the minds & hearts of individuals young and old. It is my prayer that my work does just that.” -Meisha Card
As a high school student Meisha was delegated by her church Sunday School to serve as youth artist at their First Annual Book Signing & Tea.
Meisha CardThe event was established to honor accomplished individuals of outstanding talent & raise funds for a community youth center for performing & visual arts. Here she met the late world- renowned artist, author and illustrator, Tom Feelings, who spoke about the making of his soul-stirring book, The Middle Passage.
Meisha was invited, along with her Sunday School Superintendent, to visit with Mr. Feelings at his home studio. She was immediately inspired by Mr. Feelings' passion for his work & his ability to capture the beauty & strength of the children & adults pictured in his drawings. This encounter would lead Meisha to desire to write and illustrate children's books, prompting her to research the topic extensively.
Meisha holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina and has done graduate work in the area of School Psychology. She has worked to advocate for the needs & rights of a number of families & children in both South Carolina & Georgia through participation in several research studies & service in the areas of public education, early-childhood education, family literacy, and & social service. Her passion for children, particularly those who have been misdiagnosed and placed in special education, led her to found Threshing Floor Academy,a children’s art and music program that provides quality and innovative art and music programming to families and children with the mission of helping them find their God given purpose in life. Overtime the program will evolve into a full fledged school with a strong emphasis on the arts, family involvement and purpose identification and pursuit.
“Artists, like educators, are cultivators of the heart & mind, possessing the ability to plant seeds of inspiration, affirmation, perseverance, & conviction that will reap a harvest of purpose, triumph, & destiny fulfilled in the minds & hearts of individuals young and old. It is my prayer that my work does just that.” -Meisha Card
Marilyn Jenkins-Johnson developed an interest in crocheting when she was just a young teenager. The oldest of seven girls, her enthusiasm for crocheting began with designing purses for her younger sisters to use and sell at school. Marilyn continued her hobby all throughout her nursing career, but took a break from crocheting in 1980 in order to focus on opening a gift shop with her husband. After a long hiatus, she picked up her crochet hook again in 2008 and has been going strong ever since. Today Marilyn continues to design one of a kind crocheted purses along with a variety of other items including shawls, skirts and even dresses. Marilyn is a member of a local and national chapter of the Crochet Guild of America and plans on launching her very own crocheted clothing and accessories line after her planned retirement from her gift shop business in late 2011.
Marilyn Jenkins-Johnson
Marilyn Jenkins-Johnson
Tamara Natalie Madden was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica and raised in Manchester, Jamaica. It was during her childhood in Manchester that Madden was exposed to her first artistic influences. She continued to pursue art during her high school years, studying advanced literature, photography and creative writing. In 1992, when her art teacher passed from cancer, her sadness, along with teenage concerns, diverted her attention from art. Tamara created art sporadically for the next few years, with her passion eventually dissipating as life issues took precedence over her creativity.
Tamara Natalie Madden In 1997, Tamara was diagnosed with a rare genetic kidney disease
called IGA Nephropathy. Over the next few years she would watch
her body deteriorate while she tried to maintain sanity amidst all of the toxins collecting in her body. In order to maintain some semblance of normalcy, she began to create again. In 2000,Tamara took a trip home to Jamaica in hopes of reuniting with family and finding a long lost brother. She had no idea that the trip would save her life. Her brother offered his kidney to her upon seeing the condition that she was in. This amazing offer was consummated in 2001 with Tamara undergoing a successful kidney transplant. That year she participated in her first art exhibition, making good on the promise that she had made to herself long ago to become a professional fine artist.
Her work has been featured in newspapers and magazines, including, but not limited to, the New York Times International, the Jamaican Gleaner, and Upscale Magazine. Many of her pieces are in the permanent collection of prestigious universities, such as the Margaret Cunningham Center, Women and Gender Studies Department and History Department of Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. She is also in the permanent collection of Alverno College in Wisconsin, and The Mother Kathryn Daniels Community Center in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She's exhibited in many group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States and Canada and her art was recently chosen by Black Art in America to cover the book entitled: "A Time, A Season...A Commemorative Book to Honor Oprah Winfrey." Additionally, she was a recipient of an individual grant from the Puffin Foundation for her project, "Never Forgotten", which focused on combating poverty worldwide.
Tamara Natalie Madden In 1997, Tamara was diagnosed with a rare genetic kidney disease
called IGA Nephropathy. Over the next few years she would watch
her body deteriorate while she tried to maintain sanity amidst all of the toxins collecting in her body. In order to maintain some semblance of normalcy, she began to create again. In 2000,Tamara took a trip home to Jamaica in hopes of reuniting with family and finding a long lost brother. She had no idea that the trip would save her life. Her brother offered his kidney to her upon seeing the condition that she was in. This amazing offer was consummated in 2001 with Tamara undergoing a successful kidney transplant. That year she participated in her first art exhibition, making good on the promise that she had made to herself long ago to become a professional fine artist.
Her work has been featured in newspapers and magazines, including, but not limited to, the New York Times International, the Jamaican Gleaner, and Upscale Magazine. Many of her pieces are in the permanent collection of prestigious universities, such as the Margaret Cunningham Center, Women and Gender Studies Department and History Department of Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. She is also in the permanent collection of Alverno College in Wisconsin, and The Mother Kathryn Daniels Community Center in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She's exhibited in many group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States and Canada and her art was recently chosen by Black Art in America to cover the book entitled: "A Time, A Season...A Commemorative Book to Honor Oprah Winfrey." Additionally, she was a recipient of an individual grant from the Puffin Foundation for her project, "Never Forgotten", which focused on combating poverty worldwide.
Georgette & Georglyn Marshall are Co-Owners of Three 5 Eighty 5, a rising jewelry and accessories line that operates out of Atlanta, GA. The twin sisters formed the company in 2006 when they were looking to make extra money while in college. Five years later, what was once a hobby is now a full-time venture serving an international customer base. Their handmade creations have been featured in boutiques throughout the United States, China and Australia. Their creative inspiration stems from their Americo-Liberian and Bassa heritage as well as Native American,
Georgette & Georglyn Marshall Suth African bead work. They are thankful for their God given talents in & abilities as they have not received formal education in jewelry design.
The two sisters were born in Newark, New Jersey, spending there early years in Liberia, West Africa, Brooklyn, New York and Brooklyn Center, MN. They both hold degrees in commercial real-estate from Georgia State University through the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. The sisters serve actively in their church as members of Zion Praise and Worship Team and Georglyn is the current peer leader of the outh and Young Adult Ministry.
Georgette & Georglyn Marshall Suth African bead work. They are thankful for their God given talents in & abilities as they have not received formal education in jewelry design.
The two sisters were born in Newark, New Jersey, spending there early years in Liberia, West Africa, Brooklyn, New York and Brooklyn Center, MN. They both hold degrees in commercial real-estate from Georgia State University through the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. The sisters serve actively in their church as members of Zion Praise and Worship Team and Georglyn is the current peer leader of the outh and Young Adult Ministry.