EssenceFest 2018: Visiting Stella Jones Gallery – The Soul Of The TricentennialPosted by Wilson Morales
July 11, 2018
One of the highlights of attending EssenceFest 2018 was attending a luncheon with some colleagues at the Stella Jones Gallery, where in conjunction with Soul of New Orleans (a tour experience focused on the exposure of Black businesses and history of NOLA), we got to see some amazing works displayed on its walls and treated to a fabulous meal by Chef Serigne Love.
Started by Stella Jones and her husband, Harry Jones back in 1996, the gallery has withstood the ups and downs of New Orleans and attracted large amounts of visitors to see an vast amount of historical cultural that they can go home and describe to their friends and family.
I got a chance to speak with curator Beryl Johns, who has been with the gallery for half of its existence.
What’s the highlight when folks come inside throughtout the year?
Beryl Johns: When people come to the Stella Jones Gallery, what we want them to see is a reflection of themselves and their culture. We all have collective stories and we try to reflect that on our walls.
How long have you been the curator here?
Beryl Johns: I have been here since 2008. I started as an intern while I was getting my undergraduate degree and I stayed here while I got my masters in museum studies; and then they just couldn’t get rid of me after that.
Did you know a bit of its history when you got here or did you learn on the job?
Beryl Johns: A little bit of both. I feel like I have a doctorate in African American Art at this point. We specialize in masters here, so to be around museum quality art everyday is a real joy, a pleasure and I don’t take it for granted.
As I’m here asorbing this place and it history, what is the meaning behind Soul of the Tricentennial?
Beryl Johns: Everyone is celebrating the Tricentennial but what is missing we felt is the black perspective. The black contributions over 300 years to Louisiana have been great and there are so many stories that that have been untold and little known stories that we wanted to reflect. Just a few of those on our walls.
With the paitingd that are on display, is there a central theme?
Beryl Johns: There really isn’t a central theme. Each piece is telling a different story, whether it’s about the revolution of 1811, the largest slave revolt in US history or whether it’s a portrait of a young Creo woman that’s known as Marie Lavoie. Each portrait has its own history within the whole entire exhibition. It’s just Black art about us.
