Displays honor Black History Month

Kimberley McGee

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 | 8:28 a.m.

Each stitch in Evelyn Thomas' quilts is carefully placed according to tradition just as they were more than 100 years ago.

They follow the designs created in the 1800s by brave souls who used the patterns in the quilts to communicate with the underground railroad, a network of safe havens for runaway slaves.

A black-squared pattern meant cover, food and hope for slaves escaping oppression.

Today it means pride and remembrance of the sacrifices those men and women made for freedom, Thomas said.

"I started researching the history and I was so amazed that it had been passed along orally," Thomas, a local quilter said. "There is history in the patterns and how they were used, what they meant. These quilts played a big part (then) and I'm teaching (through) them now."

As part of Las Vegas' Black History Month celebrations, Thomas' quilts are on display through March 24 at West Las Vegas Library.

The celebration of black culture during the month of February began in 1926, said Barbara Wallace, assistant professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

It is the recognition of one culture's pursuit of freedom, Wallace said.

"Black history in general is the struggle for freedom," Wallace said. "Black History Month is the acknowledgement of the role of blacks in giving meaning to freedom in this country."

The monthlong celebration traces its roots to black historian and journalist Carter G. Woodson.

Born in 1875 to freed slaves, Woodson became the second black person to receive a doctorate from Harvard University. In 1915 he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.

In 1926 Woodson chose February for Negro History Week in honor of the birthdays of two men who greatly affected the American black population, 19th century activist Frederick Douglass and former President Abraham Lincoln.

In the early '70s the week was extended to a month.

Woodson died in 1950, but his legacy lives in the classes, lectures and arts of black culture that are celebrated nationally each February, Wallace said.

"African Americans have really helped push America as a whole to fulfill in all ways the promise of freedom," Wallace said. "That is something to be proud of, something to remember."

Following is a list of local activities honoring Black History Month:

The paintings of Rick Hyman celebrate families in the exhibit "The Riches of Family: An American Journey from Slavery to Prosperity," through Feb. 23, at Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Call 229-6074.

Artwork by students of the Las Vegas Arts Academy, featuring scenes from black history are on display through March 17, at Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Call 733-7810.

Photographs from the collection of local artist Stan Armstrong are on display through Feb. 18 at Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. The exhibit features photos of the life of black Civil War soldiers and uniforms of that era. Call 228-1940.

Works reflecting black history by local quilters Thomas and Marie Bracy are on display through March 24 at West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Call 229-6074.

Nationally renowned storyteller Diane Ferlatte will share the stories of blacks through music, song, sign language and dance at 7 p.m. at Summerlin Library, at 1771 Inner Circle Drive. She will also perform at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Clark County Library, and 11 a.m. at Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave. Call 734-7323.

Las Vegas author Brenda Billups will discuss her personal experience of becoming a writer at 1 p.m. Saturday as part of the African American Cultural Focus at West Las Vegas Arts Center. Copies of her book, "The Willow Tree," will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Call 229-4800.

Rochelle Alers will speak on the impact of black romance novels on the romance-literature genre and its influence on popular fiction in general at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Whitney Library and 3 p.m. at West Las Vegas Library. Call 507-3980.

The Fifth Annual Remembering the Freedoms Festival will feature black art, plays, dance and film from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. Directed by Kim Russell, program director for the International House of Blues Foundation, the two-day festival will focus on the historical perspective, creativity and message of each piece. Call 507-3940.

Local students in grades kindergarten through 12 will recite their poetry during the ninth annual African American Reflections program at 6 p.m. Monday at West Las Vegas Library. Call 507-3980.

The Clark County Library District and the Clark County School District will host the African American Scholarship & Financial Aid Workshop for all 11th grade students at 5:30 p.m. Monday at West Las Vegas Library. Call 507-3980.

Novelist Paula Woods will discuss her series of mystery books featuring ambitious Los Angeles-detective character Charlotte Justice. Woods' writing focuses on questions of racial and criminal justice in urban cities. She will speak at 12 p.m. Feb. 16, at West Las Vegas Library. Call 507-3980.

Las Vegas performers Gwendolyn Baccus, Rochelle Clark and Mary Ashcroft will present a collage of music, poetry, storytelling and comedy in "Black Garnet," at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 at West Charleston Library. Call 507-3940.

Everett Louis Overstreet will discuss his book, "Black Steps in the Desert Sands," at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 at Summerlin Library. Call 507-3860.

Strip entertainer Clint Holmes will host a celebration of culture through poetry, song and art at 11 a.m. Feb. 28 at Clark County Library. Call 734-7323.

A lecture examining more than 20 art works by black artists will be presented by Barbara Bloemink, managing director of the Guggenheim Las Vegas and Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, at 7 p.m. Feb. 28, at Sahara West Library. Call 507-3630.

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