CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS SPOUSES CELEBRATE LEADERSHIP IN THE ARTS WITH THREE AMERICAN ICONS

(Washington, DC) The Congressional Black Caucus Spouses (CBC Spouses) highlighted the accomplishments of a world-class sculptor, a prominent portraitist, and an avid collector during their 10th annual Celebration of Leadership held recently at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. One of the CBC Spouses’ signature events held each year during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF ALC), this program honors individuals who have demonstrated leadership and dedication to the global advancement of humanity.

“This year we chose to honor extraordinary artists and collectors who pave the way and set an example for our young aspiring artists,” said Leslie Meek, Chair of the CBC Spouses. “We are committed to lifting up students who are involved in the arts, because we know we are cultivating talent that will enrich American culture for years to come,” she concluded.

The Celebration of Leadership event is chaired by CBC Spouse Gaines Clore Wynn, who convened a committee of well-respected judges in the Washington, DC community to choose the winners of the organization’s fine arts and performing arts competitions. “This event recognizes our young artists who have demonstrated a competitive and exceptional level of talent, by rewarding them with scholarships to be used toward their tertiary level of education,” she said.

The CBC Spouses also honored three outstanding leaders in the visual arts, including Elizabeth Catlett, an African American Master Artist best known for her work during the 1960s and 70s. Catlett created politically charged, black expressionistic sculptures and prints that earned her the reputation among her colleagues as one of America’s greatest treasures. Catlett, a sculptor and graphic artist, was born in Washington, D.C. in 1919. She attended Howard University where she studied design, printmaking and drawing. In 1940 Catlett became the first student to receive a Master's degree in sculpture at the University of Iowa.

The CBC Spouses also celebrated the accomplishments of Simmie Knox, a Black Portraitist who became the first African American artist to paint an official presidential portrait. He not only painted President Bill Clinton, but also painted the portrait of First Lady Hillary Clinton. In 1989, he became the first African-American commissioned to paint an official portrait of a Supreme Court Justice, when he painted Thurgood Marshall. He has also painted likenesses of U.S. congressmen and state senators, former U.S. energy secretary Hazel O'Leary, civic leaders, sports figures, educators, religious leaders, military officers, businessmen and private individuals.

The final honoree of the special event was local basketball star and avid art collector Grant Hill. Hill has amassed an impressive collection of art he calls, Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art. It is a unique project featuring 46 pieces that started touring the country in November 2003 and will continue through 2006. Grant Hill’s collection has grown over the course of eight years, and includes major works by outstanding artists such as Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Hughie Lee Smith and John Biggers. The purpose of this unique exhibition is to inspire youth to work hard to accomplish their goals.

The CBC Spouses organization has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for young people through education and leadership programs. In this capacity, the spouses have been instrumental in developing and implementing internship, fellowship and education scholarship programs. Since 1988, the CBC Spouses have awarded more than $8 million dollars in scholarships to deserving students seeking degrees in higher education.

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The Congressional Black Caucus Spouses organization is a part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., a Section 501 (c) (3) was established in 1976 as a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute. The organization's mission is to serve as the policy-oriented catalyst that educates future leaders and promotes collaboration among legislators, business leaders, minority-focused organizational leaders, and organized labor to effect positive and sustainable change in the African American community.