Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit
Myrtle Legotte, left, and Mary Sims use the key to identify community achievers during the unveiling of the ‘Civil Rights Heroes of York’ mural in 2005. Also of interest: See this view of all three panels of ‘Civil Rights Heroes of York.
An unsung mural of York does not appear on the side of a building, as do the 18 panels in the Murals of York program.
“Civil Rights Heroes of York” is a three-panel, life-size mural that is often on display at events around town.
Through March 3, it’s part of Bradley Academy’s exhibit: “A Rich History of Black Artistry in York County.
I worked with Bradley Academy officials to identify art by black artists or depicting black people in York’s past.
The exhibit impressively brings together works from collections at Crispus Attucks Community Center, York City Human Relations Commission, York County Heritage Trust, private collections and current artists… .
How did “Civil Rights Heroes” come about?…
Brett Greiman and four students from Bradley Academy worked on the mural after Greiman collected photographs of those featured in the mural.
Greiman then projected the images onto three sheets of canvas against his home garage wall. The students outlined the images, and Greiman painted them. The process took about five months.
These efforts produced a portable mural.
Certainly easier than transporting a wall around town.
Anyway, those featured on the mural:
• The Rev. Thomas Montouth
• Dr. Frederick Holliday
• The Rev. Carl Scott
• Lionel Bailey
• Ocania Chalk
• Maulana Karenga
• Elijah Lambert
• Ettie Lambert
• Wade Bowers
• Bobby Simpson
• Ray Crenshaw
• Dr. George Bowles
• David Orr
• Dorrie Leader
• W. Russell Chapman
• Mattie Chapman
• Maurice Peters
• Carrie Ford
For scores of posts about black history in York County, click here.
