#VoicesFromTheStacks
America, guests who came to dinner (and stayed) by Evelyn Patricia Terry
As a full-time professional artist since 1970, Evelyn Patricia Terry has had work in more than 400 public, private and corporate collections. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1946, and continues to live and work there today.
Terry is one of the founders of the advocacy group, ABEA, African-American Artists Beginning to Educate Americans about African-American Art. Part of her work with this group is to encourage more museums to feature art by African-American artists.
Terry writes:
“America, ‘Land of Opportunity,’ beckoned and they came. Some were already here. Others slipped in. Some walked in. Some swam in. Some sailed in. Some flew in. Groups of people came after being forced to leave homelands kidnapped or traded. Some came from concentration camps. Others immigrated, being tired and desiring a better life. Some fell in love and came. Some came for a better education. Some came seeking fame and fortune. Many came fleeing religious persecution. Some came after treacherous wars or political strife. Some came from prisons. But they came and are here. The reality is we are all here.”
Pages include mixed media original prints, artist's hair, and thread.
“My work reflects my life; I am releasing and documenting my feelings through layers and blends of smeared and scribbled color.” -- Evelyn Patricia Terry
You can watch an interview on PBS Video, or check out her website.
Images of item from the Uiowa Collection, portrait of artist from Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
--Diane R., Special Collections Graduate Student
