We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gwendolyn Garth a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gwendolyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Background…it is January 2000 and was I preparing to be released (for the second time) from prison In May of 2000, I found myself scared to death of my addiction which had been inactive for 2 years. Even though I had been practicing being the person I wanted to be while incarcerated I was still fearful of what could happen outside of the walls of this closed community. You see I had been at this crossroad before and I failed.
I couldn’t stay in prison neither did I want to. So I had to suck it up and go forward not giving a dam about what others may think. It was about me evolving to my next phase. So I held on to the hands of the people I had met on the inside like Sue Anderson, Toni Johnson, Ruthie Yarbrough. I let go of the shame and guilt and pushed through my feelings of being scared, that feeling of taking a risk! I rolled the dice anyway and it’s been a wonderful journey and really amazing things have happened for me and to me. Likethis interview!!!!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
About Gwendolyn Garth: I am a Native Clevelander, Social Practice and Multimedia Artist of African descent, born 10/13/1951. I am a recovering Substance abuse user with 25 years of uninterrupted sobriety. I am also an alumnae of the carceral system. I am Founder and Visionary leader of a grassroots Arts Service non-profit organization called Kings & Queens of Art. I founded Kings & Queens of Art as my way of giving back to the community.
Believing that I was called to be a champion for myself and other marginalized artists. I think of myself as the “Harriet Tubman of Black Artists” here in Cleveland. As I am shown, as I discover and create doors of opportunity, I am compelled to show others those doors of opportunity and bring them with me.
I specialize in the integration of fine art with computer graphics. I frequently combine techniques and mediums such as paints, pencil sketching mixed with marker, graphite, fabric, computer graphics, woodworking and creative journaling. I am widely recognized throughout Greater Cleveland for community-based collaborations, I now see my community as a canvas.
My personal mission is to encourage others towards “Overcoming Darkness and Defying Stereotypes”. I use the arts and creative placemaking as vehicles of healing, particularly for those who are healing from the traumas of incarceration, substance abuse and racism. My personal transformation is my message!
Guiding Principle: My real work will always be about Reinventing Communities & Changing Perceptions about the people in those communities. I will always do so by employing the therapeutic value of art and by thinking and working holistically and engaging with others through collaboration and transparency.
My Tagline:
Art is the name of my game.
Art is in the middle of my last name.
Art is in the middle of me,
And I have No Plan B!
About My organization:
Kings & Queens of Art is: Founded in 2014 is an Art Service Organization, a grassroots collaboration of Artists of all disciplines with a special focus on artists from the re-entry sector: presently and/or formerly incarcerated.
Our Mission is: To build a network of artists & resources that supports a vibrant arts environment, in a neighborhood context.
Our Vision is: To be a catalyst for transforming community through the celebration of the arts and African-American history and culture.
Our Purpose:
Kings & Queens of Arts which is an Artist-Led Initiative formed for the dual purposes of (1) to develop and promote the work of Visible Minority & marginalize artists (i.e. Returning Citizens and Youth-at-Risk) in all disciplines of art: visual and performing; (2) to function as an Arts Center/Community Center with the specific intent to encourage arts practices and to provide gallery space, production space, venues for performance, workshop areas, educational venues, art supplies, technical equipment, etc
Guiding values
At Kings & Queens of Art our real work will always be about Reinventing Communities & Perceptions about the people in those communities. We will do so by employing the therapeutic value of art and by thinking and working holistically and engage with others through collaboration and transparency.
What We Do: Acting as a catalyst for social engagement that leads to political & spatial change we have instigated the creation of an arts & cultural community.
We support the emerging artist in the following ways:
* Providing display spaces and opportunities to show
* Providing opportunities for the artist to teach their craft
* Provide assistance with art supplies, equipment, framing, etc
* Opportunities to network with other artists
* Provide resources needed for artistic growth
We support the community in the following ways:
* Provide quality hands on art curriculum designed for your specific needs
* Provide art for your events
* We facilitate creating community murals
* We facilitate conversations centered around making art focused on
* Community Building
* Race
* Healing
* Relationships
Kings and Queens of Art is a lean non-profit Arts Service Organization and relies primarily on in-kind support from the founder, grants and individual donations.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me I am living and walking in my childhood dream!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I would like to see a Harlem Renaissance Cleveland Style take place in Cleveland. I believe the Black Local Artists of Cleveland need a platform to be seen. I also want Black people to know and understand the value of owning art especially when they can meet and get to know the artist
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kqoa.org
- Youtube: https://latakoo.com/-/view/6752715/video/96332983ff016fc2fcf7698d9695b44b/+alisonmomeyer%40gmail.com
Image Credits
All images are mine!