Overview:
The Raymond P. Harris Retrospective showcases the artwork of a pioneering Black artist, aiming to inspire inclusivity and diversity in art history. Attend the showcase to honor his legacy and inspire future generations.
By Ena Nearon
Robert Lee Harris, an inductee of the Civil Rights Hall of Fame, known for his leadership of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, SORTA and Bridges for a Just Community, is finally set to host the unveiling of his own father’s artwork on Friday, March 15, at 5 p.m. in the Annex Gallery at the Pendleton Art Center.
Titled “Artistry Re-awakened: The Raymond P. Harris Retrospective” takes center stage, displaying the hidden treasures of Raymond P. Harris. Born in 1910, he graduated from Wilberforce University and went on to become the first Black artist to receive the Stephen H. Wilder Scholarship from the Cincinnati Art Academy.
His artistic scholarship led him from Cincinnati to Paris in 1953 for 18 months where he was featured in a July 1953 Life magazine article reflecting his role in an exhibition of American artists work in Paris. He returned to Cincinnati and eventually relocated to Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Raymond P. Harris’s work ultimately reflects resilience and unwavering dedication to his craft at a time when this was not easily accomplished and thereby capturing the spirit of the progressive Yellow Springs community.
Art transcends societal divisions, making it a powerful medium for conveying information. The absence of Black artists in art history perpetuates an inaccurate narrative, hindering both minority students’ connection to art and society’s understanding of diversity.
Once confined to the realms of family and the Yellow Springs community alone, Raymond P. Harris is now gaining widespread recognition through the Ten Talents Network “Canvas Celebration” initiative. This retrospective collection not only honors Harris’s artistry, but also aims to inspire Black and Brown art students to pursue careers in restoring and conserving historic works.
Attend this showcase of artwork that aims to rectify historical gaps, emphasizes inclusivity and diversity and gives recognition to the invaluable contributions made by Black artists like Raymond P. Harris.