THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 10, 1995 TAG: 9509080187
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
For a quick lesson in African history, art and culture, spend about an hour with Robert Floyd III at The Art Atrium.
Floyd can show you an African symbol that outdates Christianity. He can explain the ``magic'' behind fertility dolls and the mythology surrounding the antelope.
How does Floyd know these things? The self-described ``closet historian'' spends most of his free time in public libraries.
``I'm just inquisitive,'' said Floyd, 45, partner and manager of the black history center in the 600 block of High St. ``I do a lot of research.''
The Art Atrium opened about two years ago in what was formerly a downtown furniture store. The spacious business features a book store, a gift shop, a second-floor studio and an art gallery of changing exhibits that focus on the works of African Americans. The gallery also contains original arts and crafts from Africa.
An artist himself, Floyd specializes in wood sculpting. His displayed works include large wall plaques made from birch and a self portrait carved into the front of an African shield.
``Most people think that African shields are the oval-shaped ones with the crossed spears on the front, but in actuality this was the most common type,'' he said, pointing to two rectangular pieces of wood attached at a 45-degree angle with straw bindings.
On a traditional African shield, two pieces of wood (across the top and at the bottom) would serve as ``handles,'' while carvings and paintings on its face would serve as proof of ownership.
Being a bit of a history buff, it was only natural that Floyd would spearhead a search for historical documents and artifacts reflective of Portsmouth's African-American heritage for an exhibit during the Umoja Festival.
So far, the collection contains a 1934 AM-radio and a copy of a call to arms during the Civil War, requesting that black troops join the Union Army for a bounty of $200 each, plus another $16 per month (including rations). Also, a few old farm items such as horse collar, a plow cross beam, a two-man saw, a furnace stoker and a meat grinder.
``Our initial intention was to collect personal items - heirlooms - that elders in the area were keeping because we knew that if we got them, the items would be expressive of the time period and the area too,'' said Floyd.
Since then, however, Floyd has met with a Virginia Beach historian who has donated to the exhibit a scrapbook of newspaper and magazine articles dating back to the 1930s and pertaining to African Americans.
The articles - taken from newspapers like The New York Times and magazines like Ebony and Look - deal with black entertainment, art, religion and current events of that era.
The woman who put the scrapbook together, a Virginia Beach resident who is now deceased, asked that the book be shared with future generations upon her death.
Also included in the exhibit are books written by African-American authors dating back to the mid-1800s; a copy of an application for a Congressional Medal of Honor for William Carney, a Portsmouth native; and a copy of a certificate of freedom, dated 1832.
During the Umoja Festival next weekend, narrated African-American Heritage Trolley Tours will stop at The Art Atrium for guided tours. In addition to the historical artifacts exhibit, Portsmouth photographer Edward Brown will show his work. For more information, call 393-1215.
Name: Robert Floyd III
Nickname: Bobby
Number of years in Portsmouth: One
Birthplace: Norfolk
Birthdate: Feb. 25, 1950
Occupation: Manager, Art Atrium
What job other than your own would you like? Full-time artist
Children: Anthony, Loritta, Robert IV and Destiny
Grandchildren: Tony, Kiarah, Seth and Robert
Fondest childhood memory: My first trip to the Chrysler Museum
First concert: Army Band, 1963
What song or book title best describes your life? It is being written right now.
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Something to make my mother happy; whatever she wanted
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? My father so that I could see all the things that he has seen and be as happy in love and in life as he is
Biggest accomplishment: Getting out of the Army after 23 years
Most embarrassing moment: Hiding behind the door from my father; it did not work
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be just a little more loving
Perfect way to spend the day: Relaxing with a good book
I can't resist: Ice cream
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Large Brother's
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Library
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
For Portsmouth to be the art city of Virginia
For High Street to be the heart of that art city
Put more money into their parks
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? I love seeing Portsmouth and its downtown grow. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
by CNB