Alumnus Featured in Black History Month Art Exhibit
Richmond Garrick
The College will host an art exhibit celebrating Black History Month in February. The exhibit, by noted artist Richmond Garrick, an MCC alumnus from the class of 1996 and native of Sierra Leone, includes his work on the civil war in that country, as well as 13 prints of noted African and African-American luminaries.
The exhibit opens Thursday, February 2 with a reception from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre Gallery. The event, open to the public, includes a performance by his son, classical pianist Richmond Denzel Garrick. The exhibition will continue throughout the month of February. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays except February 20.
The exhibit is titled “Noble Expressions.”
“We are delighted to have an outstanding alumni artist sharing his incredible gifts with the College and the community at large,” said MCC President Joann La Perla-Morales. “His work is an inspiration to so many and I urge everyone to view it.”
The portraits are of Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, Louis Armstrong, Ida B. Wells, Ray Charles, Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass and Maya Angelou.
After the exhibit concludes, Mr. Garrick is donating the 13 portraits to the College, which will house them permanently in West Hall, the new enrollment services building.
“I love all of the portraits but I revere Dr. Martin Luther King, President Barack Obama, the late President Nelson Mandela, Frederick Douglass, Ida Wells, the great writer, and Rosa Parks,” Mr. Garrick said. “They are all inspirational. My decision to donate the prints to the College is in deep gratitude for the nurturing and support I received from such an esteemed institution.”
Dorothy Bitetto ’69, president of the Alumni Association, lauded the artist.
“Richmond has participated in several past alumni art exhibits and we are so happy he will be showing his work in this solo show,” she said. “We are so appreciative that he will be donating the 13 pieces that will inspire and educate generations of MCC students.”
A teacher at Williamstown High School in Monroe Township, Mr. Garrick is also a visiting professor at DeVry University and has been an adjunct professor at Rutgers University and Middlesex County College.