Local artist Corey De’Juan Sherrard Jr. is the featured artist in the second exhibition of the Jones Artist Awards Program, created by Houston Endowment to recognize local emerging artists and reflect the many stories and perspectives of Greater Houston’s residents.
The solo exhibition, entitled Songbook for Black Constellations, for Trio, presents data on Black demographics and institutions in the U.S. through a unique pairing of painting and music. Sherrard takes data on Black life in the U.S. — the cities with the highest Black populations by number (Masses) and percentage (Meccas), the cities home to historic Negro League Baseball teams, and the cities with Historically Black Colleges and Universities — and plots it onto his map-based paintings. He then converts the plotted points into musical notes to compose the data into musical scores. In doing so, Sherrard creates an audio-visual language that connects art to real-world social conditions.
“Art fosters connectivity and conversation. It helps us explore cultures, perspectives, and experiences different than our own and adds to the vibrancy of our community,” said Ann B. Stern, president and CEO of Houston Endowment. “We’re honored to recognize Corey De’Juan Sherrard Jr., as well as other local artists, through the Jones Artist Awards Program and provide an opportunity for their voices and stories to be heard and seen.”
Houston Endowment launched the Jones Artist Awards Program this spring to recognize local emerging artists and reflect the diverse stories and perspectives of greater Houston’s residents. Jones Artist Award recipients receive the opportunity to exhibit their work on a rotating basis in Houston Endowment’s newly constructed headquarters.
Houston Endowment has supported the region’s thriving arts scene since its founding by Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones in 1937. With the creation of the Jones Artist Awards Program, it strives to strengthen the robustness of local arts and provide additional opportunities for showcasing emerging talent.
The inaugural exhibition, entitled Salvation is my heart on display, featured works by Shavon Morris, Jakayla Monay, Raul Rene Gonzalez, and Jessica Phillip in spring/summer 2023. A second group installation, entitled Where is Home will feature the works of Sneha Bhavsar, Nela Garzon, Lorena Molina, and Marcos Hernandez Chavez and be installed later this fall.
Songbook for Black Constellations, for Trio will be on display at Houston Endowment’s private headquarters through mid-fall. Works featured in the exhibit include:
Constellation for Black Masses in Amerikkka
25 cities in America with the largest Black populations by number
72 x 48 inches
House paint, acrylic, and chalk on wood panel
Constellation for Black Meccas in Amerikkka [?]
25 cities in America with the largest Black populations by percentage
72 x 48 inches
House paint, acrylic, and chalk on wood panel
Theme I, for Negro League Baseball
16 Negro League Baseball teams. Plots that are circled represent cities with more than one team.
72 x 72 inches
House paint, acrylic, and chalk on wood panel
Black Education 42/50, pg. 1
25 HBCUs, part 1. Plots that are circled represent cities with more than one school. 42 refers to the number of cities and 50 refers to the number of HBCUs.
72 x 48 inches
House paint, acrylic, and chalk on wood panel
Black Education 42/50, pg. 2
25 HBCUs, part 2. Plots that are circled represent cities with more than one school. 42 refers to the number of cities and 50 refers to the number of HBCUs.
72 x 48 inches
House paint, acrylic, and chalk on wood panel
The public is encouraged to visit www.HoustonEndowment.org for more details and images of the included works. An open call for 2024 Jones Artist Awards will be conducted through Weingarten Art Group in fall 2023.
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Houston Endowment is a private foundation that partners with others to achieve a vibrant and inclusive region where all residents can thrive. We advance equity of opportunity through deep commitments to PreK-12 public education and civic engagement; support cultural assets that engage and connect us; and drive sustainable change across our region.