WVAG-T. Edward Holloman

T. Edward Holloman

“I believe that artistic expression is the most important component of human development, without it we’re doomed."

- Thomas Edward Holloman, Jr.

        Though I originally hail from Hampton, Virginia, I have made Terre Haute, Indiana my home for the past fifteen years and look forward to contributing to my community as an art educator in the years that follow. While attending Indiana State University, I enjoyed several opportunities to interact with the public school community from the capacity of art student/teacher. On one particularly special occasion, I participated in a community art mentoring assignment that culminated in the painting of a room-sized mural that was to be used as a student lounge at the 14th & Chestnut Community Center: an afterschool meeting place for at-risk youth.

        As art-making imparts experience in problem solving, expands cognitive ability, and engenders positive self esteem, it was a life-changing privilege for me to share my time and artistic knowledge with such a group of eager young artists. In so doing, I experienced exponential growth as both an artist and as a person and found the experience to be the one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. As a result, I now instruct painting and mask-making workshops annually for The Halcyon Gallery’s Summer Youth Arts Program and host an annual painting workshop for children at Eastern Illinois University’s Celebration of the Arts Festival.

        I also host a booth on Saturday mornings at the local Farmer’s Market where I sell portraits as well as original paintings of fruits and vegetables. As per the main subject matter that I gravitate towards in my work, although there are a myriad of themes that I hope to explore eventually, my current, most passionate angst involves depictions of ethereal beauty. Of angels, of innocence and good: especially as it pertains to African Americans. That said, this example of my most recent work (entitled The Dawn) is an art appropriation of Maxfield Parrish’s Sleeping Beauty.

        The first time I saw Parrish’s Sleeping Beauty, I was awestruck by the technical virtuoso of the artist and the sense of serene grandeur depicted. It instantly became one of my all time favorite works of art. Using the context of this painting as a subtext, I chose to advance its narrative metaphorically to depict an anticipation of the coming day; a day when we can arm ourselves with the tools of creativity to handle hateful opposition (note the standing figure holding a paint brush instead of a machine gun, has been appropriated from the iconic image of Malcolm X entitled By Any Means Necessary). Most importantly, my goal was to bring into question our ideal standard of what constitutes beauty: to reevaluate the accepted norm and status quo, in hopes that the viewer can accept this imagery at face value as a depiction of beauty.

        This painting is yet the first in a series of politically-based art appropriations I plan to do, but this too may change. As I continue to evolve as an artist, so does my focus. Generally, art has been a personal dialogue between my soul and my environment. It has helped me relate to the world and vice versa. It facilitates my very being and has become my most valuable tool for the service of good and it is my chief desire that my artwork can be used to help someone, to inspire something positive, and to affect positive change.

Other art related activities and examples of my work include:

Fall 2009 - Gilbert B. Wilson Mural Restoration Project:

I assisted Fellow WVAG member and renowned artist Bill Wolfe in the refurbishment of Wilson's WPA mural located on the walls of the South entrance of the newly renovated Lab School building on ISU's campus.

Summer 2009 - University of Illinois Cultural Festival:

On April 26, 27, and 28, I hosted a painting workshop for kids of all ages at the Celebration of the Arts Festival in Charleston, Illinois. For more information: (217) 581-2113

Fall 2008 - Downtown Demonstration Artist Program:

In conjunction with ISU’s Center for Public Service and Andrew Connor, director of Downtown Terre Haute, Inc., I participated in a community-based work/study program that afforded me an opportunity to paint plein air at various locations in downtown Terre Haute during week days and at the local Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. The goal of this program was to embellish the Arts Corridor while making art more accessible to the general public. Given this endeavor, I plan to continue painting at various locations of Downtown Terre Haute for years to come.

Spring 2008 - Mural Project:

I participated in the preproduction, and painting of a mural painting on North wall of the MLK Center building. Created by renowned artist Tom Turlempke, the mural entitled "Teaching the Young to Fly" depicts celebrated African Americans who are natives of or closely associated with Terre Haute, i.e. Willa Brown, who attended ISU, taught at Washington school, and was the first woman pilot of a commercial airline in the U.S.

This project also afforded me an opportunity to conduct an art workshop for neighborhood children who participated in the Chances Summer Youth Camp Program; one of the many activities and functions hosted by the MLK Center.

Spring 2006 - Boy’s & Girl’s Club Mural Project:

In conjunction with nationally acclaimed muralist Jeff Zimmerman, the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Terre Haute, and ISU’s art department, I participated in the planning, production, and painting of Focus. Located on the South wall of the building, this mural includes depictions of local children (members of the B&G Club) in various degrees of concentrated engagement.

As this endeavor was intended to educate and edify the viewer, it also enhanced the aesthetic value the entire neighborhood which, in turn, engenders civic pride. The BTW Center and the Boy’s and Girl’s Club murals not only add beauty to the community, but also add a thought-provoking emphasis to buildings designated for Terre Haute’s children, an emphasis that inspires hope in our community. Before these paintings were done, the average Terre-Hautian may have been a bit reluctant to visit these facilities (let alone send their children). These murals reflect the goals and character of the organizations they house and send a welcoming message to the viewer. They also show that progress is being made here in Terre Haute and I’m thankful to have been a part of it.

Fall 2006 - Mural Project:

14th & Chestnut Community Center. As part of a class group project, I co mentored the development and production of a mural painting for the study lounge of an after school facility with images that combined depictions of students engaging in scholarly activities dressed as the mascots of all the local high schools with design elements. The project focused on helping students to view themselves in a positive light.

Halcyon Summer Youth Arts Program:

From June 15 until July 17, I hosed three workshops for the Swope Summer Youth Art Program at The Halcyon Gallery located adjacent to the Sheldon Swope Art Gallery in Downtown Terre Haute. As scheduling may change for the 2010 season, please contact Petra Nyendick at (812) 841-2884, 333visualart@joink.com.

Class descriptions for the 2009 sessions were as follows:

Poster & CD Illustration (Ages 10 & up)
June 15-19; P.M. Session (Code 213)

In this class students will survey design trends, themes and typography used to create album/CD covers and musician posters. Students will explore a variety of mediums such as pencil, colored pencil, acrylic, watercolor and measuring tools in the design and creation of an enlarged CD cover or poster depicting the group of their choice.

Illustrating Rock ‘n Roll (Ages 10 & up)
June 22-26; P.M. Session (Code 312)

Since the 1960’s poster art has evolved into an important and respected art form. Students will survey design trends, themes and typography used to create posters and album/CD covers from various genres of music from the 1960's on. Using mixed media, the student will design and create a poster of their favorite musical artist or group.

Mask Making (Ages 5-8)
July 13-17; P.M. Session (Code 511)

In this class students will learn a brief history of mask making. Students will design and create their own large mask in papier mache from the planning and sketching stage to the painting, embellishing and finishing stages of their individual work. Special emphasis will be placed on color, design, and detail.

"Portraits - Murals - Workshops - Commissions"

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