THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 11, 1994 TAG: 9409090272
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
As the proprietor of the largest black history center on the East Coast, located in downtown Portsmouth, I was surprised and dismayed that the City of Portsmouth voted against my center to provide the African art exhibit for the Umoja Festival. The Art Atrium has one of the best authentic African artifacts collections in the country.
Approximately two months prior to the Umoja Festival, the city asked The Art Atrium to submit an outline of its exhibit. The outline was submitted to the Umoja committee before the deadline. To this day, the city has never contacted The Art Atrium on the outcome. The Art Atrium was informed that it would be contacted after the Umoja committee made a decision. We later noticed the Umoja's marketing material did not include our exhibit, and an Umoja committee member mistakenly mentioned that The Art Atrium was voted down during a committee meeting.
The City of Portsmouth has called on The Art Atrium's support on several occasions. We provided city hall with an exhibit for Black History Month, volunteered to judge art showings for the city's youth programs, provided exhibits for the Portsmouth Public Library, and assisted the City of Portsmouth with its community programs.
As an organization located in downtown Portsmouth, who best represents the Umoja Festival, it is difficult to understand how the City of Portsmouth could exclude The Art Atrium. Could someone please explain?
Tracy J. Brown
Owner, The Art Atrium
High Street
Sept. 6, 1994 by CNB