From Harlem to Hattiesburg: Sculpture exhibit showcases works that span time, place

Lici Beveridge, Hattiesburg American
·2 min read
Richmond Barthé
Richmond Barthé
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University of Southern Mississippi sculpture students will have the opportunity of a lifetime this weekend when their sculptures will be featured in an exhibit alongside works by Harlem Renaissance artist Richmond Barthé.

The three-day exhibit will be at Studio Waveland, 228 Coleman Ave., Waveland. While Barthé's work will only be available for viewing this weekend, the USM sculptures will be available to view the following weekend for Waveland's Food Truck Friday, outside the gallery.

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Barthé was born in Bay St. Louis and moved to New York to further his education in art. Barthé's figural sculptures and paintings of Black subjects became some of the most recognized around the world. He also is one of the first artists to tell the story of Black Americans through his art.

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural revival in New York City in the 1920s and 1930s, when Black artists, musicians, writers, actors and more produced works that are unrivaled even today.

"Birth of the Spirituals," 1941, bronze on marble base, by Bay St. Louis native Richmond Barthé, 1901-1989, courtesy of Stella Jones Gallery, New Orleans.
"Birth of the Spirituals," 1941, bronze on marble base, by Bay St. Louis native Richmond Barthé, 1901-1989, courtesy of Stella Jones Gallery, New Orleans.

The period also brought about a recognition of the talent offered by Black Americans, who for some were just one generation away from slavery.

The Southern Miss students' works represent talent from today's budding artists, under the tutelage of professor Jennifer Torres. The exhibit includes works by Jean Austin, Brittney Brown, LaShandra Coleman, Donisha Edwards, Leo Green, Desirae Oliver, Byron Pratt, Xena S. Proctor and Reagan Skinner.

"We are thrilled to be showing sculptures by these talented University of Southern Mississippi emerging artists," said Larkin Gaudet, co-owner of Studio Waveland.

University of Southern Mississippi professor Jennifer Torres poses for a photo with students Dee and Desirae. Some of Torres' students will show their work in an exhibit in Waveland, Miss., alongside noted Harlem Renaissance sculptor Richmond Barthé, a Bay St. Louis native.
University of Southern Mississippi professor Jennifer Torres poses for a photo with students Dee and Desirae. Some of Torres' students will show their work in an exhibit in Waveland, Miss., alongside noted Harlem Renaissance sculptor Richmond Barthé, a Bay St. Louis native.

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Barthé's rarely seen sculptures are on loan from private collections.

The exhibit is part of The 100 Men Hall's centennial celebration, which will feature a number of other events over the weekend. For more information about 100 Men Hall and its 100th anniversary, visit the100menhall.com. For information about the exhibit, visit studiowaveland.com.

If you go

Studio Waveland's gallery hours for the Southern Miss-Barthé exhibit are

  • 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, opening reception with music by Greg B.

  • Noon to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday

  • 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 10 , Food Truck Friday (USM students' works only)

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Southern Miss, Harlem Renaissance artists exhibit work at Coast gallery