Women Artists of Two Cultures Display Work in Watts

They are not among the elite of the art world. But the six African American and Latina artists whose paintings are now on display in Watts represent a passion and commitment to their community that would rival any old master.

Their show, “In Harmony: African American and Chicano Women Artists Exhibition,” opens today at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee Center. The six artists represented are Yreina Cervantez, Margaret Garcia, Varnette Honeywood, Alma Lopez, Toni Love and Noni Olabisi. In addition, the show features the poems of Georgia Middlebrook and Gloria Alvarez.

“These women are surviving artists,” said Janine Watkins, special events coordinator of the Center, who enlisted curator Miriam Watson Fergerson to organize the show. Both Watkins and Fergerson stressed that one of the show’s focal points is to express the many positive and common bonds that blacks and Latinos share.

“You hear a lot in the media about how two communities are often at odds with each other, and this show focuses on the so many things we have in common,” said Fergerson.

Perhaps the best known work is Noni Olabisi’s original painting of her controversial mural “To Protect and Serve” that depicts the legacy of the Black Panthers. On one side of the painting are images of violence against African Americans, including a lynching. On the other side, social services programs organized by the Panthers are shown.

Watkins said she expects many high school students to tour the exhibit.

“We can enlighten the public on the need to support the artists,” said Watkins. “Their work is a healing tool for the community. A thing of beauty.”

The show runs Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until May 18. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors.