and Science Council, Charlotte Center City Partners and Partners for
Parks, invite the public to the groundbreaking of Romare Bearden Park
on Friday, Sept. 2 from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Festivities will take place at the corner of Third and Church streets
in uptown Charlotte.
The groundbreaking ceremony, which falls on the 100th birthday of the
famous artist, will offer unique experiences through an array of
cultural activities ranging, from a musical performance from a local
jazz band to an exhibit of youth art inspired by Romare Bearden. A
Romare Bearden commemorative stamp display will also be featured.
The schedule of events is as follows:
• 9 a.m. - Music from the 5 Story Building Jazz Band followed by St.
Michael's Episcopal and All Angels Church Choir
• 9:15 a.m. - Brief remarks from local dignitaries
• 9:55 a.m. - Ruth E. Sloane, playwright, poet and artistic director,
will present a dramatic reading from excerpts of her original play:
Romare Bearden 1911-1988
• 10:10 a.m. - Groundbreaking hosted by Captain Rob Brisley, Charlotte
Fire Department, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission Chair
• 10:20 a.m. - Birthday cake will be served
About Romare Bearden
Romare Bearden was born on September 2, 1911 in Charlotte and died in
New York City on March 12, 1988, at the age of 76. He is best known
for his richly textured collages, two of which appeared on the cover
of Fortune and Time magazines in 1968. Bearden also designed costumes
and sets for numerous dance theatres, including the Nanette Bearden
Contemporary Dance Theatre. Most of his work can be found in public
collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney
Museum of American Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of
Fine Arts, Boston and the Jerald Melberg Gallery in Charlotte.
