George Gadson
By Sharon Aron Baron
Through a collaboration between the City of Tamarac and artist George Gadson, residents are invited to a virtual presentation to celebrate Black History Month. He shares stories and insights from the history of the Underground Railroad through the great American craft of Quilt-Making.
Gadson will guide participants through moments in history that are seldom presented on Saturday, February 27, at 10 a.m.
Participants will be introduced to intriguing methods of how quilts were used between freedom fighters and slaves to communicate and navigate through the escape route to freedom.
The artist will also share the quilting handiwork of notable artist Faith Ringgold and quilts made by the women of Gee’s Bend in Southern Alabama. Through guidance in a process that will allow them to create their own paper quilts, using various materials, participants can tell a story of their own family history during this presentation.
Through codes and images, this secret pathway to freedom joined hundreds of freedom fighters in messages of hope and escape. “Wagon wheel,” “tumbling blocks,” and “bear’s paw” are only a few of the rumored code names used in the making of quilts with patterns named to convey secret messages that helped direct them through this dangerous journey.
A graduate of Duke University and native of the small southern town of Ft. Meade, Florida, Gadson discovered his talent for art in 1981. While searching for a means of creative relaxation from the rigors of a demanding banking career, he quickly became enamored by the insight, enchantments, and spiritual empowerment that the experience of painting allowed him.
The self-taught artist has been commissioned to create works of art for many high-profile events and individuals. In 2008 he was invited to create an ornament for the White House Christmas Tree. In 1995 and 1999, Gadson created two South Florida Super Bowl bronze commemorative sculptures aptly named “The Quarterback” and “The Kicker.” Each sculpture was given to the National Football League Team owners. Working in various mediums, he has also created a bronze relief portrait sculptures for Darden Restaurants and JM Family Enterprises, Inc., a Fortune 100 company, the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and more.
Required Materials
White or Black Foam Board, Glue Sticks, Colored Tissue Paper, Multi-colored construction paper, Scissors, Used Magazines (optional).
Date: February 27, 2021, at 10:00 am. Cost: $10 per family. Sign up here. Proceeds will support United Way Broward.
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