Wow, what a whirlwind! I was in Atlanta last week to run the Peachtree Roadrace (which I ended up sleeping through) and at “Words and Color: A Lifetime of Discovery”, to receive the Ashley Bryan Children’s Literature Award for Illustration!!!
the gorgeous sun-catching star
The award reads: “Contribution of Excellence to Preserve the Legacy of Ashley Bryan”
sharing my projects and process
The event was hosted by the Auburn Avenue Research Library in collaboration with the National Black Arts Festival.
Paisley Dance Ensemble performing "Soukas"
The evening consisted of dances by Paisley Dance Ensemble (“Soukas”a tribute to Ashley Bryan’s “Beautiful Blackbird” and “Down by the Riverside”, a dance tribute to Ashley Bryan’s “Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals“), an artist’s presentation by yours truly, and an artist’s conversation with Carmen Agra Deedy, Ashley Bryan and me!
Carmen Agra Deedy, Ashley Bryan, and me!
Ashley Bryan Children's Literature Illustrator Award 2011
It was so great to accept this award in my hometown so that most of my family and friends could be in attendance. Many of them had never heard me talk about my work in a professional setting. THANK YOU goes out to Dr. Collette Hopkins, Director of Education and Public Programs for the NBAF and Morris Gardner, Program Division Manager for Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, for embracing me and my work, and a huge heartfelt THANK YOU with love to Ashley Bryan for bestowing such a wonderful and personal honor upon me. Ashley is magic.
- Shadra and Ashley
