#1 -Untitled
Susan Duke and Family, Patrick “ZACA” Posey, Chelsea Grissom, Chandler Jefferson, and Olivia Grissom
Some say that “Art Imitates Life”…In creating this project together with my family members, I realized all over again just how much art in all its guises, and in fact, everything we do – are all reflections of who we are and what we have learned and experienced. This beaded project, created by me, my husband, daughter, and two grandchildren really does reflect our lives. Our family has traveled, moved, and lived all around the USA and also have been fortunate enough to travel internationally. Over the years, these various adventurous paths have crossed crisscrossed, doubled back, and have taken off in all sorts of new directions. I cannot begin to imagine our lives without the layered richness of experience we have gained by knowing different places, people, and customs. The grandchildren joyously beaded and randomly linked the strings together – guaranteed by me that nothing they chose to do could be considered a mistake and that everything they did was exactly as it should be. My daughter, who prefers a bit more order in her life, recognized the inherent challenges in letting go, but soon relished the unfettered freedom and fun. We all had a great time working on this project together as a family and creating something tangible for others to enjoy. Like life itself, this beaded creation is colorful, a little bit crazy, full of surprises, and layered with expression.
#2- The McAdoo
Karen LaBeau
Weaving the story of life. Life is full peaks, valleys, hardship and success. A star “beader” is ready to leave the coon and stand on her own. Another star “beader” is moving into her own successes preparing to have her own residence.
#3- Chaos of Addiction
Melissa Wilkerson
#4- Collaboration
Sherry Tamburo and Heather Beauvais
This blanket was constructed through the team work of the residents of Providence House.
#5- New Beginnings
Sherry Tamburo and Heather Beauvais
This was the first blanket to come out of this project for us. It was inspired by the work that Providence House does for its residents. Through their programs they take families that are in need of assistance and serve as a guide to an improved standard of living.
#6- As Is
Mercy Center artists under the direction of Kathryn Usher and Nadine Charity.
Shreveport Common is under construction as are the lives of folks in the Mercy Center. Pony beads and three sections of wrapped construction safety fence make up this blanket.
#7- A-Maizing Indian Corn Row
Kathryn Usher, Nadine Charity and Beverly Paige.
Shreveport is in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. Prior to 1834, the majority of residents were Caddo Indians. They were were a heavily pierced and tattooed people, who even had face tattoos. In 2014, Groupon named Shreveport the most heavily tattooed city in America. Four rows of construction safety fence are utilized in this blanket. Fabricated by Kathryn Usher, Nadine Charity and Beverly Paige.
#8- "Untitled On Purpose"
Mark Pugh
Each color representation is as follows:
RED: The violence that led to "freedom"
BLACK: Black, Indian, and Colored people
GOLD: Africa's mineral wealth
YELLOW: the Sun
WHITE: The colonial and apartheid pasts
GREEN: Africa's fertile land
(BLACK AND WHITE also represent the many diverse people of South Africa. Many whom are of Black and White descent. Much like The Daily Show's host Trevor Noah)
#9 - “Friendship”
The Shreveport (LA) Chapter of The Links Incorporated
Who We Are:
Established in 1946 by a circle of nine friends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Links Incorporated is a premier international, nonprofit volunteer service organization. Built upon a legacy of friends and providing service that changes lives. The organization is committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. Our colors are emerald green and white. The additional colors of pink and green, red and white, and black and gold represent organizations in which members are involved. Dedicated to its mission of service and leadership, The Shreveport Chapter of The Links Incorporated are civic leaders; lawmakers and judiciary; medical and healthcare providers; role models, educators and mentors, activists and volunteers working tirelessly at the forefront of transforming the Shreveport-Bossier community. This year marks the 43rd year that the Shreveport Chapter has served our community by engaging like-minded organizations and individuals for partnership. We have partnered with the Caddo Parish Schools, University Health’s department of pediatrics and the River Bend Rotary Club to present a healthy lifestyles program to students at Caddo Heights Math Science Elementary over the past seven years.
Individuals working to complete this blanketwere: JoycePatton, (Chapter President) ; Beverly Johnson (Vice president of Programs), JoAnn Stewart, (Vice President of Membership), Beverly Paige, Burnadine Anderson; Tahira Abdul-rahman; Rosetta Boone; Cheryl Boone; Reshonda Bradford, Danielle Brown, Twyla Carter-Abraham and daughter, Madison; Angela Coleman and son, Quan Harris; Eddie Jean Cheatham; Annette Davis and son John Michael, Dr. Joyce Feagin and son, Ty Forrest; Ilene Fraser; Judge Pammela Lattier; Monica Mickle; Ree Casey-Jones; Audrey Northcutt; Levada Palms; Dr. Mary Nash-Robinson; Judge Karelia Stewart; Dr. Wanda Thomas and daughters Kennedy and Gabrielle; Margaret Thompson and E-Jean Ware.
#10 - Okra
Mercy Center artists under the direction of Kathryn Usher and Nadine Charity.
In the front of The Mercy Center is a raised bed garden. It is late summer 2015 when the Nick Cave residency starts. Curved pods of okra have taken over the garden. Too tough to eat they have eased their way into the role of an ornamental plant. Elements of Mardi Gras beads are in this blanket to represent those long pods of okra.
#11 - Fuzzy Warmth
Kathryn Usher and Nadine Charity.
We all want a warm, safe place to live. Bright fuzzy pipe cleaners and handmade beads make up this blanket.
#12 - Bead-a-Thon
Christine Cox-Hayes, Kathryn Usher and Nadine Charity.
Several bead-a-thons were held during the months of the Nick Cave “As Is” residency. This blanket was partially crafted during one of those events.
#13 - The Lighthouse
Jerry Davenport
#14- Let's Bead
Jerry Davenport
#15 - Line Dance
Mercy Center artists under the direction of Kathryn Usher and Nadine Charity.
Every other Thursday evening an instructor teaches line dancing at the Mercy Center. House residents and friends (even toddlers) crowd together in the foyer. Plenty of mistakes are made amid roars of laughter. But the instructor patiently works with everyone until they can string steps together.
#16 - Mardi Gras Blanket
Sherry Tamburo and Heather Beauvais
In celebration of Mardi Gras this blanket was constructed with the help of
Providence House residents. Nick Cave’s residency gave us the opportunity to showcase the uniqueness of Louisiana using the souvenirs from Shreveport’s own Mardi Gras parades.
#17 - Ladder-
Sherry Tamburo and Heather Beauvais
A poem by Providence House Resident
In the process of climbing the ladder
to greater heights
Thanking God every morning
For my hearing and sight
Not only that
but for every meal I bite
Because of my flaws
I might fall
But I gather strength
And crawl
So I can get back up
And climb life’s difficult wall.
Because through it all
God always got me
When I fall.
#18- Transformation
Sherry Tamburo and Heather Beauvais
This blanket represents a family that had been separated and then reunited through the program at Providence House. This family came together and transformed from individual lives to a unified and functional family unit.
#19 - Grandmothers Garden
Sherry Tamburo and Heather Beauvais
This blanket was inspired by the stories that were told by several of the residents during our beading sessions. It became apparent that Grandmothers play a significant part in shaping our lives.
#20 - Skittles
Mercy Center artists under the direction of Kathryn Usher and Nadine Charity.
Friendships are created over the strangest bonds. Sometimes it can be over something as simple as a bag of candy.
Mercy Center artists under the direction of Kathryn Usher and Nadine Charity.