Connecting People With Art- My Book Review

I have been reading with great interest Evelyn and Mercer Redcross's historical account of building their gallery and awareness of African-American art in their book "Connecting People With Art: Contemporary African-American Art." Both Evelyn and Mercer run October Gallery in Philadelphia, PA. This book provides an overview of their humble beginnings creating one of the most revered African American galleries in the United States.

What is great about this book is that it not only chronicles their journey as gallery owners and keepers of contemporary African-American art, but there are some great interviews and snippets from art patrons, gallery owners and artists alike.

Among the noted photographers, painters, sculptors, and other fine artists, their inclusion of African-American doll artists throughout the book and their contributions to contemporary African-American art is very impressive. They include noted doll artists: Cathy Milby (Philadelphia, PA), Daisy Carr (Mitchellville, MD), Tonia Kim Mitchell (Fayetteville, GA), Lorrie Payne-Stewart (Philadelphia, PA), Paula Whaley (Baltimore, MD), Sharon Tucker (Philadelphia, PA), and Particia Coleman-Cobb (Duluth, GA).

I appreciate publications and galleries who consider African American dollmaking not just folk or craft art but a legitimate contribution to the African American art scene. Kudos to October Gallery (www.octobergallery.com)!