multicultural

Children are the world’s most valuable resource and the best hope for the future – JFK

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Taking a clue from the book, I painted the modernist bridge against the anachronist Red lighthouse. My contemporary approach in the lighthouse art painting is a delightful, refreshing and compelling contrast to the historic lighthouse. 

The Art Guild of Orange Park is partnering with St. Johns Day School for an exhibit at their new Performing Arts Center. See breathtaking art by artists from local artists. Orange Park, Florida now through January 6, 2025. 

I selected my painting of the Little Red Lighthouse, or Jeffrey’s Hook Lighthouse, as it reflects the power of children to create change.

Made famous by the children’s book The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge by Hildegarde W. Swift and Lynd Ward, the story inspired hundreds of children to write letters that saved the lighthouse.

Today, it stands as the last lighthouse on the Hudson River and the only remaining one in Manhattan. A tribute to the power of youth. 

A meet and greet for students begins on October 28 at 2 pm and concludes at 4 pm with parents joining in on the discussion. 

elainemariefineart.com

St. Augustine’s Crucial Role in the Civil Rights Movement

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

In 1871 during Florida reconstruction, Congress appropriated $100,000 for a new St. Augustine Lighthouse. African Americans were a part of the work crew.

In the 1960s, Dr. Martin Luther King and leaders of the Southern Christian Conference Leadership undertook a pivotal journey to St. Augustine, Florida. Their mission was to galvanize the nation in support of civil rights, recognizing the city’s potential to shape the racial landscape of Florida. Dr. King, addressing issues such as federal funding for the city’s segregated 400th birthday celebration, sought national attention.

As St. Augustine geared up for its quadricentennial celebration, racial tensions escalated, drawing national attention due to violent acts by the Ku Klux Klan, white citizens, and local police against peaceful protesters. Amidst this turmoil, an assassination attempt was made on Dr. King during his May 1964 visit. Subsequently, his arrest in June, stemming from a request to be served at a whites-only hotel, further highlighted the city’s struggles.

Despite facing adversity, Dr. King resisted leaving St. Augustine when a Grand Jury advised him to do so, aiming to prevent negative repercussions on the stalled Civil Rights Bill in Congress. In response to the unrest, Florida’s Governor formed a biracial committee on June 30.

Interestingly, the leaders of the National SCLC left St. Augustine just a day before the historic passage of the Civil Rights Bill on June 1. Some argue that media coverage of the tumultuous events in St. Augustine played a pivotal role in garnering support for the Civil Rights Bill. Dr. King himself later reflected that St. Augustine bore the cross of “suffering and violence” that contributed significantly to Congress passing the Civil Rights Bill of 1964.

kinginstitute.org

elainemariefineart.com

Opting out of Father’s Day

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

I was surprised to get an email from Etsy asking if I wanted to “opt out of Father’s Day” emails. According to the Census Bureau 18.4 million children live without a father in the United States. Seems that some men have opted out being involved in their children’s lives. But opting out seems like a “cop out” and doesn’t address the bigger problem.

Fathers who do not live with their children have an impact by their absence. Their children have higher rates of homelessness, incarceration and drug addiction.

Every time I visit Hillsboro Lighthouse and see the statue of the “Barefoot Mailman” I think about my father who faithfully served the Postal Service.

Men don’t have to be perfect but involved. Children need positive male role models who are actively involved in their lives. Building time with your child builds self confidence.

The pandemic has been especially hard on children. They need help navigating the challenges they face. Peers are a poor substitute. Because of social media, most children spend more time with their peers than with either of their parents. Kids are not the only ones addicted to social media. Parents are often distracted as well. It takes a conscious and consistent effort.

My art is shaped by my childhood trips to Fort George Island with my father. My passion for history and the ocean began early. While my father fished, I played on the jetties and splashed on the beach with my siblings.

Look for everyday opportunities to spend time with your child. Try to see the world from your child’s perspective. Try sharing activities like going to the store, shopping, preparing food, playing games and discussing their interests.

Summer is a great time to spend with your child. They may be more open to spending time with you. 

  1. Have breakfast outside with your children minus the phones.
  2. Play family board games.
  3. Take a nature walk together.
  4. Create a family playlist.
  5. Plan a road trip together. 

Time with your child creates lifetime memories that will help anchor them throughout their lives and remind them just how important they are to you.

Grab your sunshades, flip flops & imagination

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Splash and Color is an 18 page multicultural coloring book featuring popular sites in Florida’s second most popular destination.

Miami Beach is a hub of creativity. In December, Art lovers from around the world flock to its sunny shores during Art Basel; the United States biggest art fair.

Art Deco Weekend continues the momentum and fanfare on January 13-15. Its 800 plus Art Deco buildings are the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world.

Explore the Miami Beach Art Deco District through the eyes of children. Splash and Color is an 18 page multicultural coloring book featuring popular sites in Florida’s second most popular destination.

splash and color.com

Behind every child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first. Matthew Jacobson

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Because shuttle launches were loosening the prism of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse’s fresnel lens, in 1993 a high powered searchlight replaced it.

Mae Jemison has always reached for the stars. In 1992, she became the first African American woman to become an astronaut.

Jemison was born in Decatur, Alabama. When she was three years old, her family moved to Chicago in pursuit of better education for their children. Throughout Mae’s early school years her parents were supportive of her talents and abilities.

When she was young she had a love for science. Jemison dedicated time in her school library reading books on science, especially astronomy.

When she graduated in 1973 as an honor student, Jemison entered Stanford University on a National Achievement Scholarship. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering in 1977.

After entering Cornell University, Jemison led a study for the American Medical Association in Cuba. She also worked in a Cambodian Refugee Camp in Thailand. Mae Jemison graduated with an MD from Cornell then worked as the area Peace Corps medical officer for Sierra Leone. She is fluent in Russian, Japanese and Swahili.

In 1985 Mae Jemison decided to pursue her childhood dream. She was chosen out of 2,000 candidates for the NASA astronaut training program in 1986. As a science mission specialist she was responsible for conducting crew-related scientific experiments on the space shuttle. Jemison flew into space on September 12, 1992, with six other astronauts aboard the space shuttle Endeavor.

MaeJemisonBio

elainemarieartist.com

When dreams take flight

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

During airshow season, the Blue Angels team is stationed at Fort Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Their mission is to bring aviation to men, women and children across America. For over 70 years they have mesmerized over more than 450 million spectators.

It is in the nature of a child to dream. Adults sometimes dismiss these dreams as wishful thinking forgetting they once had childhood dreams.

As planes flew over his family farm in Georgia, Donnie Cochran began dreaming of becoming a pilot. The farm seemed to beckon the aircraft. Because the planes’ flight path was over the farm, the daily sighting became a ritual.

When he became older he pursued his dream and became a Navy pilot. The challenge of flying the fighter and flying off a Navy ship inspired him. In 1976, he graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the Navy.

In 1986, Commander Donnie Cochran became the first African American to become a member of the Blue Angel Flight team. He also made history in 1995 and 1996 by becoming the first African American Blue Angels commanding officer.

DonnieCochran

elainemarieartist.com

Serving in the shadows while shining the light

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

James Gould was the builder and first official keeper at St. Simons Lighthouse. After being awarded a contract to build the in 1807, he was appointed as the first light keeper at St. Simons. In 1830 he was paid $17000 to build a keeper’s dwelling. He served as light keeper for 27 years without an assistant lighthouse keeper.

Enslaved Black people often fulfilled the duties of a light keeper. They filled in when the light keeper was absent or sick.

In 1836, an elderly African American woman assisted in the keeping of St. Simons Lighthouse. She served while the lighthouse keeper was incapacitated with grout. James Gould was the Head Light Keeper during that time. He was the builder and first keeper at St. Simons Lighthouse.

Black Light Keepers

elainemarieartist.com

In the long run there is not much discrimination against superior talent – Carter G. Woodson

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Every President since Gerald Ford has declared February as Black History Month and proclaimed a theme. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness.

Carter G. Woodson helped found a group that began what was initially Black History week. They chose the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.

Kizzmekia Corbett, an African American, is praised as the scientist behind the Covid vaccine. Corbett made headlines when she was part of a team that met with President Trump at the National Health Institute. “Corbett said that her participation during that event marked an important step forward for young scientists and people of color.”

She has a track record of excellence. When Corbett was a student she was selected for the Project Seed Project. The program for gifted minority students gave her the opportunity to study chemistry labs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Afterwards she received a full scholarship to the University of Maryland. During the summer, she earned an internship at the NIH.

After graduation began her doctoral studies at Chapel Hill. She worked as a research assistant studying viral infections. She received her PhD in microbiology and immunology.

Time honored her as “Hero of the Year” for her leadership in developing the Covid Vaccine.

Hero of The Year

KizzmekiaCorbett

Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Improved Academic Performance: Studies show that there is a correlation between art and other achievement.

“Dear Jackson,

I hear you’re having trouble in school. Forget about that place. Why don’t you join me in New York? If you’re serious about becoming an artist, this is the place to be anyway. You can study at the Art Students League….”

Jackson Pollock is the most challenging and influential American artist of the 20th century. He was the “first action” painter, meaning he would drip, pour, throw, and splash his paint onto very large canvases which he laid flat on the floor. He is nicknamed “Jack the Dripper.”

He was born in Cody, Wyoming and grew up in Arizona and California. He studied painting at Manual Arts High School, Los Angeles. He dropped out after being encouraged to move to New York by his older brother. He studied under Thomas Hart at the Art Students League.

splash and color.com

Jacksonpollock

Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make together for our children. Sitting Bull

Posted on by Voicesoflighthouses

Kenneth Triester designed the sculpture at Holocaust Memorial in Miami Beach that took more than four years to build. It was officially dedicated in 1990.

The United Nations has set aside January 27 as International Holocaust Day. It is the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of 7,000 prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp by Soviet Troops.