Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier
Renowned artist Claude Clark Sr. receives a warm reception last Wednesday at Foothill College where his work is on display until Feb. 28 at the Hubert H. Semans Library Gallery.
Town Crier Staff Writer
Growing up in Philadelphia during the 1920s in a time when African-American artists had few opportunities to cultivate their talents or display their works, Claude Clark cleverly side-stepped financial or social barriers that obstructed his way.
The internationally-known artist said he succeeded "because of the strategy my mother taught me." Clark said he quickly learned how to get what he needed through watching people. "It's not a matter of just listening to what they say," he said.
Clark's depiction of black American themes have inspired people worldwide. His works have been exhibited in the 1939-40 World's Fair in New York City, the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the Amistad Research Center and Talladega College as well as in many private collections.
Clark's works will be displayed at the Foothill College Library Gallery through Feb. 28 in honor of African-American History Month.
Art curator Cozetta Guinn said Clark's work impacted her life as a young woman.
"Back when I was 21, I saw a painting in a book that really made me feel good. It was called 'Rain.' It was about a man running with a banana leaf over his head. I feel that I got to know Claude Clark through his work. He is a special person who teaches, who is a humanitarian. I am in awe," she said.
Born in 1915 on tenant farm near Rockingham, Ga., Clark and his family joined the African-American migration and headed north to Philadelphia in 1922. By the time he entered junior high school, Clark knew he wanted to be "a poet or artist."
Clark said becoming an artist was no easy task. "I needed a drawing set. We had nothing. The floor boards parted so you see outside. We didn't even have a rug on the floor," he said.
With his mother's coaching, Clark waited until his father had some money in his pocket and then encouraged him to buy Clark his first drawing set. Clark eventually earned a scholarship to the Philadelphia Museum School of Art. He also attended Barnes Foundation of Merion in Pennsylvania, Sacramento State University and the University of California, Berkeley.
During the Great Depression, Clark worked in the Works Progress Administration, a program initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 to provide jobs for Americans. The program created a nurturing environment for talented African-Americans for the first time.
Clark later taught at Talladega College in Alabama and Merritt College in Oakland
"I taught about life, not just painting." Clark said.
The Foothill Gallery presents works by guest artists each month of the academic year. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information, call 949-7608.