The Chicago Diary of the
49th National Conference of Artists (NCA) Chicago Conference 2008.
circa: South Loop Hotel. Hosted by Third World Press. July 10 - 12, 2008.
written by Hugeaux
Part #1
July 10, 2008 - 8:00am
Part #1
July 10, 2008 - 8:00am
I am recording this entry 40,000 feet above the earth. This is the only time I had due to the great connecting flights to Chicago. I began the journey at 6:00 am in Jacksonville. Everything went as schedule. However there was one major flaw. I had reached the airport and forgot my wallet. I had to return back home and get my wallet. Luckily I had prepared myself 2 hours ahead of time. The sun is shining and this proves to be a great journey. I suppose to meet Madame Justine Devan at the site of the NCA conference in the South Loop Hotel, at 10 - 11am this morning.
Part #2
9:18 pm
I am writing this entry while it is thundering and lightening tonight in Chicago. The 49th annual National Conference of Artists (NCA) has finally kicked off. The evening began with Dr. Herbert Charles of Morehouse addressing the audience with a warm welcome and greeting. His focus is on setting a positive agenda for the conference and future conferences. Next, was Dr. Rosalind Jefferies who gave a libation for the opening. After the libation ceremony, the tone was set for paying special and personal tributes to the late NCA board member Dr. Murry Depillars. Dr. Floyd Coleman, Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Prof. Willis "Bing" Davis, Dr. Acha Debela, Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti and Mr. Bamidele A. Demerson share their personal and memorial dedication for the late NCA board member Dr. Depillars. The conference was running into overtime as we could smell the lemon fish and rice-jambalia entering the conference room. The conference events concluded with legendary visual sculptress Geraldine Mcculough and haitian specialist (?) who spoke and presented visual presentation on their past and present achievements. Now!!! was time for dinner and the informal conversations. After Dr. Herbert Charles made a toast with white wine, we broke off to our own groups and spent the long day into the night laughing, sharing, teaching and just listening to each other. My group consisted of Christopher E. Harrison (Minneapolis), Charnelle Holloway (Atlanta) and Electra (Detroit). The dinner was full of our warm laughter. The owner of the South Loop Hotel entered and welcome the NCA to its city and hotel. The day was very long however Day #2 shall be electric.
Part #2
9:18 pm
I am writing this entry while it is thundering and lightening tonight in Chicago. The 49th annual National Conference of Artists (NCA) has finally kicked off. The evening began with Dr. Herbert Charles of Morehouse addressing the audience with a warm welcome and greeting. His focus is on setting a positive agenda for the conference and future conferences. Next, was Dr. Rosalind Jefferies who gave a libation for the opening. After the libation ceremony, the tone was set for paying special and personal tributes to the late NCA board member Dr. Murry Depillars. Dr. Floyd Coleman, Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Prof. Willis "Bing" Davis, Dr. Acha Debela, Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti and Mr. Bamidele A. Demerson share their personal and memorial dedication for the late NCA board member Dr. Depillars. The conference was running into overtime as we could smell the lemon fish and rice-jambalia entering the conference room. The conference events concluded with legendary visual sculptress Geraldine Mcculough and haitian specialist (?) who spoke and presented visual presentation on their past and present achievements. Now!!! was time for dinner and the informal conversations. After Dr. Herbert Charles made a toast with white wine, we broke off to our own groups and spent the long day into the night laughing, sharing, teaching and just listening to each other. My group consisted of Christopher E. Harrison (Minneapolis), Charnelle Holloway (Atlanta) and Electra (Detroit). The dinner was full of our warm laughter. The owner of the South Loop Hotel entered and welcome the NCA to its city and hotel. The day was very long however Day #2 shall be electric.
Day 2 - Part #1
July 11, 2008
It rained all night in Chicago. The rain lasted until the early part of the morning. I planned to start this day early by taking a walk arounf South Loop Chicago and to do so photographing. I began with a 20 minute walk and photoshooting until the rain began to fall again. I journeyed down Michigan street just a short while until the rain began. However, when I returned back to the hotel about 30 minutes before the beginning of the conference the concierge gave me a tour of the entire plans of the hotel.
Part #2
9:25 pm
This was a very electric day. We opened today's conference with a continental breakfast and meet & greet. Today's session open up with Dr. Jefferies giving the opening ritual and prayer ( an african version of the Our Father prayer). The first speaker of the morning was Ms. Madeline Murphy Rabb who spoke about the business of art. The second speaker was Dr. Debela who gave us a great history of his childhood growing up in Ethiopia and how this has influenced his art by using art and technology. The sun was begining to shine. It thusly was time for lunch which was catered by the South Loop Hotel and was a delicious array of turkey, mash potatoes, ceasar cream salad and stir fry vegetables. After lunch NCA co-chairman Dr. Herbert Charles gave us a dynomite visual presentation on using art to teach science. His presentation featured the first Live-recording of the solar eclipse from Ghana Africa, produced by himself. However one of the most energetic speakers of the conference thusly, was a 20-ish brother by the name of Dr. David Stovall. Dr. Stovall spoke on the pedagogy of hip-hop and its impact on art. This dynamic young speaker captivated the NCA audience to reminiscing. Such youth and vitality re-newed this conference. This was the perfect conclusion of this days' conference whose theme is the Art of Renewal. After the conference we were invited to an art exhibition at the Gallery Guichard. We then went to the Chicago Art Institute to see the Benin exhibition. Charles Simms brought me dinner at the Chicago Art Institute. After the Benin exhibition some of the member went to China Town for their late dinner. This conference is truly RENEW-ing the NCA organization. Can it get BETTER than this. Just wait until tomorrow. I also present my presentation on The Importance of Documentation and The History of ARTE MECCO on tomorrow....
9:25 pm
This was a very electric day. We opened today's conference with a continental breakfast and meet & greet. Today's session open up with Dr. Jefferies giving the opening ritual and prayer ( an african version of the Our Father prayer). The first speaker of the morning was Ms. Madeline Murphy Rabb who spoke about the business of art. The second speaker was Dr. Debela who gave us a great history of his childhood growing up in Ethiopia and how this has influenced his art by using art and technology. The sun was begining to shine. It thusly was time for lunch which was catered by the South Loop Hotel and was a delicious array of turkey, mash potatoes, ceasar cream salad and stir fry vegetables. After lunch NCA co-chairman Dr. Herbert Charles gave us a dynomite visual presentation on using art to teach science. His presentation featured the first Live-recording of the solar eclipse from Ghana Africa, produced by himself. However one of the most energetic speakers of the conference thusly, was a 20-ish brother by the name of Dr. David Stovall. Dr. Stovall spoke on the pedagogy of hip-hop and its impact on art. This dynamic young speaker captivated the NCA audience to reminiscing. Such youth and vitality re-newed this conference. This was the perfect conclusion of this days' conference whose theme is the Art of Renewal. After the conference we were invited to an art exhibition at the Gallery Guichard. We then went to the Chicago Art Institute to see the Benin exhibition. Charles Simms brought me dinner at the Chicago Art Institute. After the Benin exhibition some of the member went to China Town for their late dinner. This conference is truly RENEW-ing the NCA organization. Can it get BETTER than this. Just wait until tomorrow. I also present my presentation on The Importance of Documentation and The History of ARTE MECCO on tomorrow....
The Final Day of the conference.
July 12, 2008
10:00am
I am writing this entry at the Midway airport in Chicago. The ending of the conference was quite a delight. Each chapter gave their chapter report. I (Hugeaux) presented the New York chapter report. I read a letter executive director Kwame Brathwaite had composed. Electra Fulbright presented the Michigan report. Acha Debela presented the North Carolina report and Charlie T. Johnson present ed the New Orleans=2 0report. Bing Davis gave a rendition on his accomplishments from the Dayton Ohio area. Charlie T Johnson spoke in the absence of Jon Lockhart and gave a commentary on the re-grouping of the New Orleans art community. The evening gala honored Dr. Margaret Burroughs and the late Dr. DePillars. However I can say that the highlight of this trip began at the Chicago Art Institute and ended at the Midway airport. Mr. Charles Simms of New Orleans is the person I am speaking about. Charles Simms and I took a early Sunday morning walk & talk in search for breakfast in South Chicago. We found a Burger King whose sign stated that it opened at 5:00am, however the clerk inside told us it would be at 7:00 am. We walked back to the hotel and Charles began telling me stories of survival. This information is typical to a father/son and or uncle/nephew morning stroll. Charles’ family had arranged for a limousine ride, which Charles offered and inwhich I accepted, to the airport and we talked more about life and art. This was my first ride in a limousine. A joyous experience. We checked in to our different airport and rejoined to walk through airport security. Charles’ flight was the first to leave however we had 45minutes to kill, so I invited Charles to a chicken biscut and coffee at McDonalds at his terminal B. My terminal was A and I had 2 hours to kill. We took our breakfast to the nearest departure gate and sat at the bar sets. People watching and more talking. Interestingly we bot h lived at once in Paris, France. Charles mention he would be returning to Paris in a couple of months. I told him about my Honolulu trip. He was amazed at all the air flying I have done in the past 6 months. As we continued to eat our breakfast, he told be how in on NCA New Orleans conference how Dr. Margaret Burroughs calmed a heated debate between the member, and the result was very rewarding as everyone began to give. We ate more and I mentioned how the newer generation of artists must continue what the later generation had started. He mentioned with I have a strong passion for the NCA and it shall be needed soon. I walked Charles to his gate and we said goodbye and to get the last word in he invited me to New Orleans and I said I accept. I met senior artist Charles Simms of New Orleans 1 year after Hurricane Katrina. I was invited by Charlie T. Johnson to participate in the NCA-New Orleans Martin Luther King annual art exhibition. I had to refresh his memory. Charles is definitely a pillar of the Louisiana art community.
This conference has taught me what the power patience and endurance contains. How old ideas and new ideas are basically the same. The key word of the conference was RENEWAL. How one’s assistance to another can carry the same weight but perceived differently. How difference enhances each other. How misconceptions generates dialogue. Thought the overall lesson I received from this conference is that regardless of the conditions, for a major organization to flourish, it must continue to use all its resources (young and old) to continue the development and prosperity of its creators. At this time I am not mentioning one of NCA creators: Dr. Margaret Burroughs, but the Almighty himself. Our creator God Almighty. Thank you the city of Chicago. Thank you Third World Press. Thank you all my NCA brothers & sisters. I shall never forget this. God Bless
Hugeaux is a member of the National Conference of Artists (NCA)
copyright Hugeaux All Rights Reserved
