The Black Heritage Gallery will be hosting the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum Traveling Exhibit for three days starting today, Sept. 14. (Special to the American Press)

‘The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum Traveling Exhibit’

A selection of wax figures from the National Great Blacks in Wax museum in Baltimore will be paying Lake Charles a visit this weekend.

The Black Heritage Gallery will be hosting the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum Traveling Exhibit for three days starting today, Sept. 14.

The museum in Downtown Baltimore was opened in 1983 by Dr. Elmer Martin and Dr. Joanne Martin with the intention to use the wax figures to educate the public and to “help culturally disadvantaged youth overcome feelings of alienation, defeatism and despair,” according to the museum’s website.

Joanne will be at the gallery reception at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15 to meet patrons.

The last day to view the wax figures is Saturday, Sept. 16.

Heather Sportsman

Beginning Oct. 6, the art of Houston-based contemporary mixed media artist Heather Sportsman will be hung in the Black Heritage Gallery.

Sportsman’s art features “faces, figures and objects in nature that highlight the spiritual connections she believes humankind needs in order to be fulfilled.” She used colored pencil, gouache, acrylic and pastels.

In her artist statement, she explained that her artistic process is meditative and spiritual with a focus on resilience and sturdy principals.

“I want everyone to see how life’s difficulties, pain, discipline and self-control can truly turn into something beautiful with patience and without an entourage or applause. In a world where values have changed and people are so desperately grasping for originality, relativity and peace, I feel authorized to control the narrative of my art.”

She also strives to create representation in art that she did not see when she was a child.

“As a Black woman, it is crucial for me to celebrate non-Eurocentric beauty norms, as representation is invaluable.”

The exhibition will be available for viewing until Nov. 21.

Winter Group Show

The second annual Black Heritage Gallery Winter Group Show will open on Dec. 1., and will be available for viewing until Jan. 26, 2024.

It is a collaborative exhibition that will feature the art of several community artists that was created to give audiences a vast range of art that “varies in experience and perspective.”