ENTRUSTED IN OUR KEEPING

Hey fine folks, I know it's been about fifty-five fifty-five years, but I wanted to jot down a quick notes about all the love and light that's been flowing through the Newark Public Library, down on 5 Washington Street.

Just returned from leading a MARVELOUS REAL workshop with some interesting writers, visual artists, and educators who are creating some good work. The program was curated by the incomparable historian Dr. Sandra L. West, who you absolutely must meet if good fortune hasn't set you on her path already. Great spirit, a beautiful mind, and of course, she is knee deep in some vital work. Please do take yourself over to the NPL if you are nearby to see her current exhibit, Entrusted to Our Keeping: The Legacy of African-American Literary Societies in Newark, the Nation, Our World. The artifacts and photographs are fascinating, including a rare book featuring cover art by the late Tom Feelings and memorabilia from African-American reading circles from Newark to Sapelo and beyond.

Last time I was in Newark, officially, and not just flowing through, was to see the wonderful Alice and Ravi Coltrane performance at NJPAC. I was very pleased to end this year's Black History Month with such an engaging group of thinkers.

I will upload photos and a few other choice pix. Meanwhile, check out:

REBORN by artist Noelle Williams




The Newark Artist Collective

Here are just a few of the various folk who came up during our two hour workshop and discussion on writing the marvelous real:

ALEJO CARPENTIER, THE KINGDOM OF THIS WORLD
GIANNI RODARI, THE GRAMMAR OF FANTASY
RENALDO ARENAS, BEFORE NIGHT FALLS



Artist XENOBIA BAILEY, creator of COSMIC FUNK and PARADISE UNDER RECONSTRUCTION. She also has a new (to me!) blog.

NALO HOPKINSON'S MIDNIGHT ROBBER

LEO AND DIANE DILLON