NC HBCU Series

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The purpose of this project is to shine a much needed light on the 11 North Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and to celebrate a few of the products of these invaluable institutions. For over a hundred years these schools have contributed significantly to all classes and the nation’s economy. They have released into the world everything from artists to scientists, from world class athletes, to politicians, to generals. This project actually began as a nod to my alma mater, North Carolina Central University, and a show of respect for the accomplishments of Dr. LeRoy T. Walker. Midway through the completion of this piece, my wife gave me the idea of doing a series. The more I thought about it, I began to see it as a way to do that BIG project I had always wanted to do. Once I had completed the first painting, the pressure was on. I couldn’t allow this to follow in the footsteps of previous projects and end up completed after only one or two pieces. It took a while to decide on who to represent next. I remember a conversation with a friend where I expressed the difficulty I was having choosing a subject. She told me, ” if it was easy, then anybody could do it. This was given to you.” It took a minute for me to wrap my mind around that one but I understood. I persevered. By the time I began the next painting, with Dr. Diane Boardley Suber representing St. Augustine’s University, I had garnered support from the some of the St. Augustine administrative faculty, which greatly assisted in the construction of the work.

 

While working on the St. Augustine’s University painting, and researching subjects for future works, I came across various articles written about HBCUs and particularly a number here in North Carolina. I read various articles on everything from university heads resigning due to controversy, to several NC HBCUs being called overpriced or not worth the cost to attend. Although I couldn’t argue with the facts in a lot of the writers’ issues taken with our schools, I still could only see them as attacks against our great institutions – esteemed institutions that have provided so much to our communities, our country, and the world. I now see this project as something that is necessary. Now I am taking the initiative to highlight these schools and a small portion of the fruit that has been borne. I am celebrating both past and present, alumni and faculty alike as they all have received so much from these beloved schools and then rose to excellence in their respective endeavors. They are our examples of how we can be and do so much more than what is expected when we expect more from ourselves, and have the tools to give our dreams life.

Upon its completion, this series will be a master work celebrating our 11 North Carolina HBCUs and a few of the jewels that came from them. I hope that it will be used as a vehicle to inspire students to reach higher, soar higher, and extend a hand back to continue the cycle. This is the only series of it’s kind that I am aware of and I am certain the ripples it makes will be felt by generations to come. Right now, this is a work-in-progress, and I am sure this foreword will evolve as wildly at the project itself. I grow as the series does. I’ve already learned so much since I started this journey. Stay tuned. The best is yet unpainted……

 

Please show your school pride!  Help to support your school and this immensely important project by purchasing a print for your home or office. 24″×36″ (2 feet x 3 feet- same size as the original works) prints of your institution can be purchased for $150 each. 10% of each purchase will be donated to the school represented. 

If a different size is desired, please contact me for availability and pricing. For order placement (PayPal) and inquiries, Please email me at shawn@shawnetheridgeart.com. Thank you for being a part of history in the making and supporting our beloved North Carolina HBCU’S!

 

FEATURE ARTICLE:

“Midtown Muse: Raleigh artist’s paintings honor NC’s historically black colleges”