'Take Five' Exhibit Takes Inspiration From Jazz

The smooth sounds of jazz music and an amalgam of jazz-inspired artwork lined the walls of the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center Sunday afternoon, March 17. The event marked the opening reception of Take Five, a collection of artwork inspired by jazz.

On view was a wide array of paintings, photographs, mixed media, and collage by a number of talented artists. The exhibit features the works of Evelyn Graves, Mansa K. Mussa, Stephen B. Ellis, Joel Crooms, McDonald Wright, William W. May and Larry Hilton. The collection was curated by Onnie Struther.

“Onnie is one of our board members and used to be the head of Arts High School’s visual arts program,” said Ellen Greenfield, president of the 1978’s Advisory Board.  “He felt that women in art and women artists weren’t featured much and he also wanted to do something with jazz. So he suggested we combine the two, because there is such a need.” So in commemoration of Women’s History Month, which takes place in March and Jazz Appreciation month, which occurs in April, Take Five was born.

Raised in Maplewood, fine artist Stephen Ellis creates larger-than-life, colorful paintings. He said he has always made the connection between music and his art. “I always enjoyed listening to jazz while I’m painting,” he said. “I want to make the paintings look like the music sounds. I want my paintings to have their own separate jam session.”

Multi-media artist Joel Crooms resides in Montclair and also enjoys writing, photography, and painting. “I don’t like to put myself in a box,” he said. “I enjoy using all kinds of materials. . .plastics, paint, markers. It all works.”

Rhode Island artist McDonald Wright displayed several jazz-influenced photo montages. “All of these photographs are film, not digital,” he said. “I started working in this medium in 1991.” Wright also had his self-published book, Making the Moment, on display.

Take Five will be featured at 1978 until May 1st.  For more information, visit www.1978artscenter.org.