Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 14, 1993 TAG: 9304140207
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
AFRICAN-AMERICANS MURAL DEDICATION
A mural depicting three historical and cultural contexts for African-Americans will be dedicated April 23 at 4 p.m. at the Black Cultural Center in Squires Student Center at Virginia Tech. The dedication is open to the public.The mural, "Legacy," was commissioned by the university and painted by Newport News artist Jerome A. Johnson. Johnson has directed and coordinated several visual and performing arts projects and has received several awards for his work, according to a Tech news release.
Johnson also has exhibits at several of Virginia's colleges and universities. He is a graduate of the University of the District of Columbia.
"Legacy" portrays ancient African civilization, the middle passage of African-Americans' first encounter and experience in America, and future hopes and aspirations, a section that includes portraits of Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X at the top with children of all cultures below them.
Ronald Giddings, associate dean of students at Virginia Tech, said the final passage alludes to the future hopes and aspirations as related to peace, diversity and cultural appreciation.
"The mural has visually attracted much more attention to the center," said Carol Crawford-Smith, Black Cultural Center coordinator.
"It has an extraordinary educational value because the images within the mural give us a historical perspective of the contributions of blacks."
The mural is being sponsored by two Virginia Tech graduates from Norfolk, Matthew M. Winston Sr., who graduated in 1959, and his son, Matthew M. Winston Jr., a 1990 graduate.
The elder Winston, who received his graduate degree in aerospace and ocean engineering, works at NASA's Langley Air Base in Hampton. Winston Jr. works for Tech's office of university relations.