THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701150126
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY IDA KAY JORDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 63 lines
The official grand opening of Art Atrium II Gallery, at 6 p.m. Saturday, is a dream come true for Joan Rhodes-Copeland.
``I always thought at some point I'd do a gallery,'' she said. ``I've been a collector for many years and I've always wanted to own a business.''
She and her husband, Wayman, have taken over the art gallery in the 600 block of High Street.
``We're going to make this work,'' she said.
Like previous owners, the couple both have full-time jobs elsewhere.
``But we're working it out so one of us is here most of the time, and we will be open on a regular schedule,'' she said.
Rhodes-Copeland said she wants the gallery, which specializes in African-American art, to be part of the community.
So it's not surprising that part of the grand opening will be an art auction to benefit the HER (Help and Emergency Response Inc.) Shelter. About 15 items will be up for sale, with profits going to the shelter.
An educator for all her working days, she said domestic violence is something she has seen among her students for years.
``It's important to have alternatives for those who seek change in their lives,'' she said.
Currently, she is manager of the evening school at ECPI on Greenwich Road in Virginia Beach. Wayman Copeland works at the Norfolk Naval Base.
The two have been married for about three years, after becoming reacquainted at their I.C. Norcom High School class reunion.
Until she returned to the area to work at Key Business College in Norfolk in 1990, Rhodes-Copeland had lived in New York City for many years, after graduating from Norfolk State University.
``My field is business education, and I've worked at a number of schools, including Catherine Gibbs and American Business Institute in New York.''
Copeland came back to Hampton Roads in 1992 after working for the Navy Department in Bermuda.
``We're both from Portsmouth, but we live in Virginia Beach,'' she said. ``We live close to where we work, and it doesn't take too long to get to the gallery.''
As a backup, Jovan Holloman, a Tidewater Community College student, also works in the gallery every day.
The gallery will feature not only exhibitions by regional black artists but also prints by well-known African Americans, living and deceased. The stock also will include collectibles, jewelry, some items of clothing and greeting cards.
``We'll use as many local artists as we can,'' Rhodes-Copeland said.
She also plans to work with various organizations on special projects. For example, the local chapters of LINKS, a service organization for black women, will sponsor a poster contest for Black History Month in February.
In March she will feature the Women in History Trail, sponsored by the Business and Professional Woman's Club. One of the people on the list is Portsmouth-born Sissieretta Jones, a black woman who was a famous soprano. Jones sang in the White House in 1892 and was recognized around the world. The gallery will have a display about her.
``We're going to have storytelling by Ruth Varner and poetry readings,'' Rhodes-Copeland said. ``I want to plan some lunchtime activities for people who work downtown.''
The gallery is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month, to participate in the Olde Towne art community's First Sunday presentations.