Fast Facts | Clues Corner | Hideaway Times | Learning Links | Teacher Tools | Games & Family Fun | About Us
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
There's 'unity' in 'community'
Growing museum continues to reach out
By AMY C. RIPPEL
Daytona Beach News-Journal Correspondent
DELAND — It was a day that had local leaders rubbing elbows with area residents, neighbors greeting neighbors and strangers getting to know each other in the name of community unity.
News-Journal photos/CHAD PILSTER
Justina Fennell,left, and Chipella Strickland, both from Daytona Beach and members of the Greater Friendship Baptist Church Virtuous Women of Praise, perform a praise dance during the Umoja Festival near the African American Museum of the Arts in DeLand on Saturday. 
News-Journal/RON WHITE
Kyle Kelly, left, 11, from DeLand, jousts with Kaili Mehu, 12, Deltona, on Saturday during the Umoja (Community Unity) Festival, Spirit of Togetherness, near the African American Museum in DeLand. Mehu knocked Kelly off six times and was knocked off once herself.
|
|
Many Talents Since it was founded in 1994, the African American Museum of the Arts in DeLand has featured a variety of artists and works, including:
SOURCE: News-Journal archives. |
The annual Umoja Festival took place on the grounds of the African American Museum of the Arts and across the street at the Noble “Thin Man” Watts Amphitheater on South Clara Avenue.
The Saturday event was aimed at bringing people from all walks of life together and it did just that, despite a little rain.
The word umoja means unity in Swahili and is the principle for the first day of Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday celebrated in late December.
But more than just a festival, the event put a spotlight on the small museum and accompanying amphitheater.
People enjoyed snow cones and popcorn as they browsed the vendors selling African-themed merchandise including wood carvings. Inside the museum, there was a silent auction with some wood carvings up for bid. Artist Grace Edghill of Deltona was chatting with festival-goers as they perused her exhibit, “Wearable Art.”
 Irene Johnson |
With the museum’s leaders Irene Johnson and her husband Maxwell Johnson, eyeing retirement from museum work, many are wondering about the future of the cultural complex in DeLand.
The couple hasn’t set a retirement date, at least publicly, but those close to the museum know it’s coming.
“I’m holding my breath,” said Pat James of Deltona, a museum board member and festival volunteer. “We’re praying that someone will continue . . . their vision.” It’s a vision that continues to be far-reaching.
The museum was founded in 1994 by Irene Johnson, who now serves as its executive director. In 1995, the doors officially opened to the county’s first African-American art museum in a small building at 325 S. Clara Ave.
Over the years, the museum expanded its programs and community offerings. Today, it’s in the same building but it houses dance, reading and art programs for children. In 2003, the amphitheater across the street from the museum opened in honor of the famed jazz musician Watts. A number of local cultural events have been featured at the amphitheater, the only one of its kind in West Volusia.
More than a decade later, the museum remains the one of the smallest museums in Volusia County.
Irene Johnson said she’d like to see more events directed by the community and the amphitheater used regularly.
“It’s quite a challenge for my husband and me,” Irene Johnson said. “We would like to see more people in the community take advantage of this facility.”
Maxwell Johnson said there’s plenty of room for building expansion and hopes that one day the museum building will grow onto nearby property. But, he said, it’s a million-dollar dream that might not come true soon.
The first task, he said, is finding successors.
“It has to be someone who knows what a museum is about as well as what it’s going to become,” he said.
Although the turnout at the daylong umoja event wasn’t what some had hoped for, those who attended said they were thrilled with the events.
In the morning, community leaders unveiled a bronze bust of Charles Bailey, a World War II Tuskegee airman. The bust will be placed inside the museum where there’s already a bronze bust of Zora Neale Hurston.
Joan Castaldo of Glenwood, along with her daughter Jacqui and Jacqui’s 1-year-old son Angelo, attended the festival. The last time Joan Castaldo was at the museum was 12 years ago. It’s changed, she said.
“This whole area has changed,” she said, smiling. “I think it’s just great. I just wish there was more advertising (for the festival). They need support.”
For 6-year-old Taquan Pitts, a Starke Elementary School first-grader, a new bike overshadowed any concerns the adults may have about the museum’s future.
Taquan was the first winner at the festival’s bicycle giveaway. He got to ride it back to his grandma’s house, minutes from the museum.
His grandmother, Marilyn Robinson, said the museum has become a fixture in the community. She said she really enjoys events at the amphitheater.
“It’s very nice,” she said. “It’s good to just walk up here and watch.”
Festival coordinator Mary Allen said there were about 200 people in and out of the festival. “We figured the rain kind of slowed things up,” she said after the festival was done.
Copyright © 2009 NIE WORLD (www.nieworld.com). All content copyrighted and may not be republished without permission. The News-Journal has no control over and is not responsible for content on other Web sites. Privacy Policy.