Carole Joyce
Spotlight on Carole Joyce
Since 1976, every president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month, growing out of an effort that began as Negro History Week in the 1920s, giving all Americans the opportunity to learn more about the central role of African Americans in U.S. history.
In Tehachapi, CrossRoads Gallery will be celebrating Black History Month by featuring the artwork of local artist Carole Joyce.
“I always look forward to Black History Month.” Carole says. “It’s when we honor the ones who came before us and the struggles that they went through. It’s a time when we celebrate the history and many accomplishments of Black America.”
An accomplished artist herself, Carole also notes that across America the celebrations of Black History include film festivals, arts and crafts shows and musical programs. And although Martin Luther King Day is officially a holiday in January, he, his work and his life are also remembered during the month of February.
“When Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926, he realized the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public,” Carole explains. “The intention has never been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring it to the public's attention, and to recognize the important developments that merit emphasis.”
Dr. Carter G. Woodson was born to former slaves and spent his childhood working in Kentucky coal mines; at age 20 he enrolled in high school and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. Disturbed to find that history books largely ignored the black American population, Woodson and a handful of other prominent black scholars began Negro History Week in 1926; now Black History celebrations are held every February all over the world.
Carole Joyce, a figurative artist and sculptor who specializes in portraits, brings an intimate and personal experience to her artwork, offering an exceptional and comprehensive look at her own history and at the history of a people.
“My favorite subjects show African American women in all their charm and grace,” Carole says. “Yes, I seek perfection, but I allow for imperfections. I paint from my heart. And I want the viewer to connect with the energy of love and joy that went into the work.”
Carole’s motivation stems from her need to achieve, and to find balance in her own life. “My passion for creating art gives me a sense of accomplishment,” she says. “This makes me feel I am a productive human being serving humanity.”
We are fortunate in Tehachapi to have such an artist to bring us her own distinctive visual presentation of the human experience. Carole’s work will be featured beginning on First Friday, February 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., and will be on display for the entire month of February.
"Some stars shine brighter than others" a portrait of Michael Jackson by Carole Joyce. Carole says, “I really wanted to make a portrait of him because I admired him; he was so talented and dedicated to his craft, and it really helped me work through the grief of his sudden passing. When I work on a portrait I try to get in touch with the true essence of who the person is, it’s not just what I see on the surface.”
"Bliss" by Carole Joyce. “I love painting dancers and this is from my Angel Series; I always strive to show movement, flow, beauty, and substance,” Carole says. This and more of Carole’s work will be featured at CrossRoads Gallery in February.
"Homeless woman" by Carole Joyce. “I was at an outdoor art show in a park years ago, and a homeless woman walked by me and sat nearby,” Carole says. “I asked her if she would pose for me, and she was happy to; she was dressed in plastic bags and all her worldly possessions sat next to her. I was amazed at the peacefulness of her attitude, and her beautiful smile!” This painting is a great example of how Carole captures different aspects of the African American experience; her work will be featured at CrossRoads Gallery during February’s Black History Month.