Black History Doll Show and Sale Highlights From This Weekend!

One of my commissioned dolls in the show!


A group of young ladies who were members of a support group to encourage self esteem for young girls using dolls stopped by.



Doris McGillan, Doll Artist, shows off one of her beautifully created dolls.

Two of my dolls on display




Daisy Carr proudly shows one of her doll creations!


Several more of my dolls on display.



Carole Brothers of Agape Dolls



This weekend's Black Doll Show and Sale was fantastic. It was held Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th at the PG Plaza Mall in Hyattsville, Maryland. Several great doll makers and artists were in attendance including, Carole Brother of Agape Dolls, Doris McGillan of Heritage Designs, Daisy F. Carr, Doll Artist and Designer, among others.

Yours truly enjoyed the event and learned a lot of about the Doll Making and Showing world. Several of my colleagues and fellow doll makers from New York City came down and showed support for several artists in the show.

Many visitors to the show noted it was their first time being surrounded by so many beautiful dolls. Others were serious collectors who were regular visitors to the show. Still some were regular collectors of some of the doll makers in attendance. I met some new collectors of my dolls as well.

WUSA Channel 9 in Washington, DC covered some video and interviewed several artists about their works. Film footage included all the artists in attendance. Barbara Whiteman of the Philadelphia Doll Museum was also in attendance.

If you missed it there will be another one in the fall. Keep your eyes and ears posted. I will be there again!

Joy Spirit Worshippers!

Spirituality is such an inspiration for this series of Art Soul dolls I am creating called the "Spirit Worshippers". They are art healing dolls inspired from Camilla La Mer's Art Soul Doll workshop I attended in Denver, CO last year (see The Journey: Dolls for A Soulful Purpose for more details).

Because of what is happening all over the world, Haiti, the economic crisis in the US, the frustration of the snow in the Maryland, DC and Virginia area, I created this doll series to speak to comfort within ourselves. These dolls are designed to bring joy in times of sorrow, love when there is hate. Each doll calls on whatever spirit you believe in or that brings you joy. Hands are raised to worship and harness the spiritual energy to keep us moving.

I am trying to decide whether or not put clay faces on them. They are a work in progress. Let me know what you think?

Celebrating Black History Month and the Art of Doll Making!

February is Black History Month and the African American folk art of doll making is something that is exciting to explore this time of year. Doll collecting among African Americans has historically included elements of history and genealogy, with childhood dolls being passed from mother to daughter for generations. The dolls also provide a continuing link to the past – their simplicity, uniqueness and age that mark the gradual progression of African Americans socially.

This month, to celebrate Black History Month and the history of African American doll making consider:

*visiting the Philadelphia Doll Museum, to get a glimpse of the history of African American Dolls and doll making.

*purchasing and reading Debbie Behan Garrett's book Black Dolls: A Comprehensive Guide to Celebrating, Collecting and Experiencing the Passion

*visiting a local African American doll maker's studio in your community, take a doll making class or subscribe to their newsletter or blog.

*attending a Black History Doll Show this month. I will be participating in one in Hyattsville, Maryland. See my earlier blog post.

*traveling to the Gullah Islands off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina to get the flavor of traditional doll crafts and the history behind them.

This month is an exciting month to share your love of dolls and find a sense of history in the African American community. Let me know some other ideas of how you intend to celebrate the history Black Doll making!

Sankofa Studio to Participate In Black History Month Doll Show, February 19-20, 2010

Hey all- Sankofa Studio will be participating as a vendor at the Black Doll Show and Sale this month!

Here are the details:

February 19 & 20, 2010
Friday & Saturday 10 am - 9 pm

The Mall at Prince Georges
3500 East West Highway
Hyattsville, MD 20782
"Located In The Greater Washington, DC Area"
"Celebrating Black History Month"

--Many vendors with Black Dolls, Doll Accessories, Doll Furniture, and Doll-related items for sale
--Meet the African American Doll Artists and Doll Makers
--Dorothy Dandridge Authentic Memorabilia Exhibit
--An Educational Experience For The Whole Family

The event is FREE. I will be providing discounts to Blog, Facebook and Twitter followers. Come and purchase that special doll for the New Year!

Haiti: Contribute to Those Charities That Will DIRECTLY Impact Conditions There

I apologize that it has taken me a few days to blog about this important issue. It has been on my mind and I am taking my time to determine what words I want to say about it. I think as artists we have a responsibility to inform the world of needs and trouble and to communicate not only to ourselves but to a higher power.

I am troubled by what happened last week and feel like I need to create a healing doll to help me understand and recover from this horrible tragedy. I ask my fellow bloggers and readers to consider contributing your money, time, or energy to whatever mission or charity that will directly impact the conditions in Haiti.

Thank you!

Dolls on Exhibit at Hyattsville, MD Gallery

Hyattsville, Maryland's Design Studio Gallery "GOT MORE ART?" exhibit, includes two of my Art Soul dolls as part of their January showcase covering over a dozen local artists works, running January 8- 31, 2010.

Art ranges from limited edition and open edition prints, hand-crafted jewelry, hand-carved wooden sculptures to original paintings and photography, mixed-medium sculptures, and ceramics.

The Opening Reception is Sunday, January 17th, 2010 from 6pm-8pm. During the reception I, along with other artists, will be available to discuss and answer questions about the inspiration, meaning and motivation behind the work exhibited.

The gallery is located at 5702 Baltimore Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland. Gallery hours are as follows:

Gallery Open Hours:
Thursdays 5:30pm-7:30pm
Fridays 5:30pm-7:30pm
Saturdays 1:00pm-4:00pm
Sundays 2:00pm-5:00pm

For more information call: 301.779.4907

New York Doll Collecting Examiner Interviews Moi!

Happy New Year everyone! One of the major surprises of the new year is the posting of my two part interview with none other than Elizabeth de Almeida, the New York Doll Collecting Examiner in a three part series entitled "The Soul of Creativity In Doll Making". Her first article of the same title introduces the reader into the art and soul of doll making. Her second article One of a kind art soul dolls – interview with doll artist, Sherry Ways-Part 1 discusses my emergence as a doll artist and inspirations. The third article Sherry Ways and spirtual challenges as a doll artist- interview part 2 delves a little more about my personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences being a doll artist.

I hope you enjoy this interview and let me know your thoughts on it. Peace!