Make Art! Parade Art! is the slogan for Daisy Art Parade- which in just two years has earned the reputation for being “Roanoke’s Happiest Parade”. The parade is a grassroots parade- organized by local artists with the support of Roanoke city’s Art Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The parade will take place on May 10- (Mother’s Day weekend) on Kirk Avenue at Noon. Neighborhood groups and individuals will parade the art they have made together, dance, play music or just dress up in Joy and fellowship: beginning at Kirk Ave near Jefferson, proceeding around the Municipal building and ending at Henrietta Lack Plaza for musical events and performances to celebrate one another as neighbors and citizens of our city.
The City of Roanoke has retained four artists-in residence in Northwest to build community around creating art for the 3rd Annual Daisy Art Parade. The four; Tahitia Woods, Robyn Mitchell, Hannah Patrick and Jane Gabrielle, often work together and can be found holding workshops at libraries, parks and Lick Run Farm.
Honoring the past, connecting to the future
Artist Jan Gabrielle works within the Gainsboro neighborhood. Research and community conversations revealed an ancestor ideally suited to be honored in the parade. “Reverend R. R. Wilkinson, pastor of Hill Street Baptist Church, was a Civil Rights pioneer and his environmental justice work ties in beautifully with mitigation of climate change harm in NW Roanoke”, says Gabrielle. The Artist has worked with the Wilkinson family and community members to bring a 14-foot parade figure to life. “We are so excited for this opportunity to spread the message and history of our father, grandfather, great grandfather and Uncle, Rev. R.R. Wilkinson’s reign as the pioneer Civil Rights leader in Roanoke representing Gainsboro strong!”, says Cassandra Lightly, the Reverend’s daughter.
A large portable sculpture featuring the “Sankofa” bird, spearheaded by artists Gabrielle and Mitchell, is also in the making. This artwork has opened opportunities for young participants & parents to discuss what “wisdom” means to them. Mitchell spent a recent workshop at the Melrose branch Library perusing African cloth swatches with Goodwill’s Donna Davis. Mrs. Beane and her staff at Melrose Library are excited that a Sankofa Bird will be the neighborhood parade art this year. The legendary bird of African lore moves into the future, while looking back, mindfully, at its past.
Artist Tahitia Woods is holding Wednesday night engagements at Perry Park with African drumming, dance and art. As community members drummed on a recent evening, children painted shields to accompany the Sankofa bird. Artist Tahitia Woods explains:
“WE! are all Connected’ is the theme neighborhood Artist in Residence Tahitia Woods is seeking to nurture in the West End. Leading up to the Daisy Art Parade a collaboration of artists & creatives are sharing mindfulness practices, West African-style drumming at Perry Park, and sharing basic principles of healthy living. A future workshop supporting “interconnectedness”, and a joint effort with the West End Center for community engagement is also in the works!”
At Lick Run Farm on 10th Street in the heart of NW, Artist Hannah Patrick relies on her knowledge of growing food to tap into environmental awareness. Hannah recently led a spontaneous art making event at Lick Run Farm using recyclable materials to build a “Trash Monster” that will appear in the parade. It was a lot of fun to build and it has a message about the importance of caring for environment. Hannah is also helping the “Garden Appreciation Club” to make papier mâché masks representing our furry friends that “appreciate” our gardens as a buffet.
For more information contact Jane Gabrielle McCadden, One World Arts @ 540.397.5126.
