Pamela Chatterton-Purdy Art

Find “Icons of the Civil Rights Movement” at www.amazon.com

“This book has a foot in two worlds: art and history. With the inspiring art work of Pamela Chatterton-Purdy, the “Icons of the Civil Rights Movement” honors those who sacrificed for freedom. The use of the iconic form (gold leaf on wood panel) represents the sacred nature of the Movement’s non-violent philosophy. This casebound book is enhanced by Rev. David Purdy’s written account of the people and events depicted in the 26 icons.”

“I am simply stunned that such a profoundly beautiful book exists.”
-Mary Emerson-Smith

Announcing the book:
“Icons of the Civil Rights Movement” is here.

The cost of the book is $33.95 ($29.95 + tax and shipping).If you would like to purchase a copy of 27 icons plus text, reviews and more:
make checks payable to:
Pamela Chatterton-Purdy
30 Bank St.
Harwich Port, MA 02646

———————————

Pam’s Biography:

Pamela Chatterton-Purdy received an A.A. from Green Mountain College in 1961, her B.A. from The University of New Hampshire in 1963. She married her husband David Purdy a Methodist Minister, June 7, 1963 and received her M.F.A from The University of Massachusetts in 1966. She has taught art at Bay Path College, Longmeadow, MA , Springfield College, Springfield MA, and The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, plus the public schools of Middleboro, MA and Brookline MA. She has taught art for over 30 years.

In 1987, Pamela wrote a book titled BEYOND THE BABYLIFT, A Diary of an Adoption. It was published by Abingdon Press, Nashville TN. The Purdy’s have 4 children and the book focuses on the adoption of the Purdy’s Amerasian child and the struggle to become a family.

In retirement Pamela has created a series called “Icons of the Civil Rights Movement” which has traveled to over 20 Colleges and Universities. In January 2009 the show went to Washington DC for the Inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Pamela’s story “SISTER SALLY LOVED TO DEATH” has been included in an anthology of Cape Cod women writers entitled A SENSE OF PLACE, published by Shank Painter Press, Eastham Ma. (2002)

Post-graduate work: Massachusetts College of Art, Cape Cod Community College, Radcliffe College, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Recently Pamela was introduced at the Boston University School of Theology Annual Lowell lecture by Rev. James Lawson. Hosted by School of Theology on October 26, 2011. Watch the video here.

ASSOCIATIONS:

• National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW)
• Harwich Guild of Artists
• Cape Cod Art Association
• Chatham Creative Arts Center
• Cape Cod Women’s Organization
• Plymouth Guild of Artists

EXHIBITIONS:

“ICONS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT” are on permanent display in Giclee print form at:

Zion Union Heritage Museum
276 North St.
Hyannis, MA 02601
www.zionunionheritagemuseum.org
508 790-9466

“ICONS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT” exhibited at the following:

• The Episcopal Divinity School March 15- May 31 2012
• Boston University School of Theology Sept. 1, 2011- March 15, 2012
• Andover Newton Theological Seminary/Hebrew College, Newton, MA
  January to mid-April, 2010
• “Icons of The Civil Rights Movement” The Hynes Convention Center MLK Breakfast Jan. 18, 2010
• U Mass, Amherst, , Student Union Gallery, Amherst, Mass. Nov. 15-24, 2009
• The Bradley Memorial African American Church, Oaks Bluffs, Aug. 21-28, ‘09
• Zion Union Heritage Museum, 276 North St. Hyannis, MA Aug. 1- Sept 30, ‘09
• Cape Cod Media Center, 307 Whites Path So. Yarmouth, July 1-31, 2009
• Green Mountain College, Feick Art Center, Poultney Vt. May 25-June 12, 2009
• Eldredge Public Library, Chatham MA April 18-May 20, 2009
• Derby Clubhouse Gallery, Hingham, Mass. March 1-31, 2009
• The United Methodist Center 100 Maryland Ave. NE Washington DC January 2009
• UMW (United Methodist Women) Bangor, ME Oct. 24-26, 2008
• Trinity United Methodist Church, Oct. 18-30, 2008
• Brandeis University, Waltham, MA Aug. 19-Sept. 30, 2008
• Zion Union Heritage Museum, North St. Hyannis, MA June 16-Aug. 18 ‘08
• Gordon College, Boston, MA June 10-15, 2008
• African American “Rites and Reason” Theatre, Brown University May 8-24, 2008
• Mathewson St. Gallery Providence R.I. April 1-30, 2008
• The Cultural Center, Yarmouth, MA March 19–30, 2008
• African American Institute, Northeastern University, Feb. 25- March 17, 2008
• Cape Cod Community College, The Wilkins Library Feb. 19-24, 2008
• The Boston State House Feb. 11-15, 2008
• Guild of Harwich Artists, Jan. 25- 27, 2008

Other Art Shows:

• Mathewson St. Gallery, Providence R.I. “Currents” April , 2007
• Star Gallery, Orleans, MA “Currents” August 5, 2006
• Hourglass Gallery, Melrose Mass. “Essence of Nature and Water” June 2006
• Cape Cod Artisans Harwich Port, MA “One Woman Show” Sept. 2005
• Star Gallery, Orleans MA “Go Figure 2005!”July 16, 2005
• Cape Cod Media Center “A Body of Work” May, 2005
• Brewster Ladies Library “Three Generation Show” Nov. 2004
• Star Gallery, Orleans, MA. “Go Figure!” July, 2004
• Star Gallery, Orleans, MA. “Primarily Hers” Aug. 16, 2003
• The Boston State House, “Icons of 9/11″ Dec. 4, 5 and 6, 2002
• Star Gallery, Orleans, MA. One Woman Show, “Icons 9/11″ Sept. 2002
• Vitignetts Gallery 5960 Desert Pt. Dr. Los Vegas 2002
• Guyer Barn, Hyannis, MA. “4 Friends and a Paintbrush” Show, August 2002
• Chrisalis Properties Gallery, Mashpee Commons, Mashpee, MA.
• “Women Creating” CMFA 2002
• CCWO Member’s Show Star Gallery 2002
• H.C. Studios 30 Station Ave. Brookline Mass. May/June 2002
• Show “Four Friends and a Paintbrush” Brewster Ladies Library 2001

RECENT AWARDS:

• 2011 The Barnstable County Human Rights Commission, Cornerstone Award, presented to David A. Purdy and Pamela Chatterton-Purdy for research and recalling the heroes of The Civil Rights Movement, Presented December 10, 2011

• 2009 Human Rights Award, “Icons of the Civil Rights Movement” Church Women United, The Hyannis Synagogue February 10, 2009
• 2008 Honorable M. Mixed media “The Human Spirit” Members Show CCAA
• 2008 Best in Show “Cranberry Gold” O.J. Show, Chatham Creative Arts
• 2008 Honorable Mention “Eventide” Mixed Media Members Show CCAA
• 2008 Honorable Mention “….of things Past” Mixed Media Members Show CCAA
• 2008 1^st Place “Cranberry River” Mixed Media, Members Show CCAA
• 2007 1^st Place “The Greyling at Sea” Mixed Media, Members Show CCAA
• 2007 2^nd Place “The Letter” Mixed Media Artists Members Show CCAA
• 2007 H.M. “Spartan Woman” Mixed Media All Cape Show CCAA
• 2006 H.M. “Cape Light” Mixed M. CCAA Aug. Members Show
• 2006 H.M. “Meditation” CCAA Members Show (March)
• 2006 H.M. “Pomegranates and Lace” CCAA Winter Open Juried
• 2005 1^st Place “Red Kimono” Orleans Cultural Council Juried Show
• 2005 1^st Place Acrylic Chatham Creative Arts Center, Members Show
• 2004 1^st Place Acrylic Chatham Creative Arts Center, Members Show
• 2004 Juried in: Women Creating CMFA
• 2003 1^st Place Acrylic CCAA Winter Open Juried
• 2003 H.M. Mixed Media CCAA Winter Open Juried
• 2002 1^st Place Acrylic Chatham Creative Arts, Figure Show
• 2002 H.M. Acrylic CCAA Christian Witteveld Memorial Show
• 2002 H.M. Mixed Media CCAA Founder’s Exhibition
• 2002 H.M. Mixed Media CCAA Spring Open Juried Exhibition
• 2002 H.M. Mixed Media CCAA The Dibner Memorial Show
• 2001 H.M. Oil CCAA The Christian Witteveld Memorial Exhibition
• 2001 H.M. Mixed Media CCAA Autumn open Juried Show
• 2001 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Ceil Scarmelli Memorial Exhibition
• 2001 1^st Place Margaret F. Dole Memorial Show, Orleans Cultural Council
• 2001 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Dibner Memorial Show
• 2001 H.M. Mixed Media “Women Creating” C.C.Five Cents Savings Bank
• 2001 H.M. Mixed Media “Women Creating” Barnstable Sr. Center Juried
• 2000 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Christian Witteveld Memorial Show
• 2000 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Founder’s Exhibition
• 2000 2^nd Place Mixed Media All Cape Art Show, Chatham Creative Arts
• 2000 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Dibner Memorial Show
• 2000 H. M. Mixed Media CCAA Open Juried Show
• 1999 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Spring Open Juried Show
• 1998 H.M. Mixed Media CCAA Scaramelli Memorial Exhibition
• 1998 2^nd Place Mixed Media CCAA Founders Exhibition
• 1998 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Spring Open Juried
• 1998 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Dibner Memorial Show
• 1998 2^nd Place Mixed Media CCAA Golden Anniversary Member’s Show
• 1997 2^nd Place Mixed Media Dibner Memorial Show
• 1996 1^st Place Mixed Media CCAA Founder’s Exhibition
• Hourglass Gallery, Melrose Mass. 2002 to “current”
• Cotuit/Cahoon Gallery “Woman Creating” ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01,’02 ’03
• Chatham Creative Arts “Woman Creating” ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01
• Art Show Gallery /Brewster Ladies Library 1999
• One Woman Show, Hosmer House, Sudbury, Mass. 1999

Recently Pamela was introduced at the Boston University School of Theology Annual Lowell lecture by Rev. James Lawson.

According to the Boston University School of Theology:

“In a candid lecture piecing together instructive narratives from his lifetime of nonviolent resistance activism, Reverend James Lawson (STH’60) challenges society’s pre-occupation with consumerism and compliance to an economic ethos that privileges a few at the expense of many and calls for an organized resistance that would surpass all previous justice-seeking movements.

Hosted by School of Theology on October 26, 2011. Watch the video here.”

Jeffrey Brace
From Slave Ship to Freedom
1742-1827

Jeffrey Brace, born, Boyrereau Brinch, was captured and enslaved in Africa at the age of 16. He was taken to Barbados and then New England. After being the slave of numerous cruel owners, he was sold to Widow Mary Stiles of Woodbury, Connecticut who treated him humanely and taught him to read. Baptized a Christian, he read and memorized the entire Bible. He became a powerful voice for the Abolitionist Movement in New England.

Serving in the Revolutionary War for five years, he was honorably discharged with a badge of merit and was granted his freedom. In 1777, Vermont was the first state to abolish slavery. Hearing “flattering accounts of the new state”, in 1784 Brace moved to Poultney, Vermont. He and his family were among the first to settle this town. Here he bought land, and with his wife, Susannah Dublin, an African-born ex-slave and widow; they cleared and farmed the land. Later, in 1802, Brace and his family, which now included 3 children, moved to Sheldon, in northern Vermont, where they bought 50 acres of land for $250.00

In 1810, after the aging Brace had become blind, he wrote his autobiography with the assistance of Benjamin Prentiss, a lawyer in northern Vermont. It was titled “The Blind African Slave”. The account is one of the very few “slave” narratives that has recorded the journey from capture in Africa, the Middle Passage across the Atlantic, and then finally to eventual freedom in America. Brace died in 1827.

Event: The unveiling of a new icon by Pamela Chatterton-Purdy.
creator of “Icons of The Civil Rights Movement”.
508 430-1422

This icon is of a former slave of Vermont by the name of Jeffrey Brace, formerly Boyrereau Brinch of Africa. Pamela first heard of this amazing man while at a College reunion 2 years ago. Pamela has created this icon as a gift to Green Mountain College, Poultney, Vermont, to be presented at her 50th College reunion in June. Jeffrey Brace and his family were early settlers of Poultney.
On April 16th the public is invited to view this icon at The Zion Union Heritage Museum, 276 North St. on April 16th. Descendants of Jeffrey Brace will be there to read from an account of their ancestor’s life story.
In 1810, a Vermont Lawyer by the name of Benjamin Prentiss put pen to paper and recorded the story as dictated by Jeffrey Brace, now blind with age. From slavery to freedom, THE BLIND AFRICAN SLAVE is one of the few documents in existence, that records the journey from capture in Africa, to cruel slave owners in Connecticut and New England, to the kindness of one slave owner by the name of Widow Mary Stiles of Woodbury Connecticut, who taught him how to read. He is known to have memorized the Bible. He was baptized in Georgia Vermont in 1805 and joined the Baptist Church. His powerful orations were key to the Abolitionist movement in New England.

The Jeffrey Brace icon will be on view at
The Zion Union Heritage Museum
through Memorial Day week-end.
Hours: Thurs.-Sat. 11 am-5 pm
508-790-9466

Hi Pamela, My two sisters and I were together last night and at the moment Barack had the numbers, my dear friend Mrs Evelyn Gibson Lowery phoned. She and her husband Dr. Joseph Lowery were chosen by Dr King to deliver the petition to Wallace after the Selma March. Here is a link to a little homemade slide show I did. There is one graphic photo but I really wanted to make a stron point. You echo the essence of it’s message. What a day in heaven and on earth. The three of us were bursting with joy. Warm Regards, Mary
http://picasaweb.google.com/sal97527/MomSLegacy#slideshow

I was thrilled to hear from Mary Liuzzo Lilleboe a few days before the election!  She saw my “icon” of her Mother on the Internet, is the daughter of Viola Liuzzo; a white woman from Detroit Michigan who was murdered by the KKK in Selma Alabama in 1965. Mary was just 17 when her Mother was slain. The jury declared the 3 Klansmen “Not Guilty” even though there was an FBI informant who identified the men.

I am having prints of the icon made for the family. Needless to say, Mary and I cried tears of joy, when it was announced that Barack Obama had won the election!