Gallery Fifty Six is proud to have Emery Franklin as one of it's artists. January and February will be two big months for him. On January 27, 2011 at 7:00 on Channel 10, Emery will appear on TENNESSEE CROSSROADS. Then on February 1st, Emery's exhibition at the Benjamin Hooks central library will open. Please read below to get all the details:
MEMPHIS ARTIST EMERY FRANKLIN PARTNERS WITH WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL TO COLLECT TIES FOR SCHOOL’S ANTI-SAGGING PROGRAMS
Month-long “Crossroads: From Sagging to Success” exhibit opens Feb. 1 at Central Library.
An opening reception for a Black History Month exhibit on the popular fashion of sagging by artist Emery Franklin will be held Tuesday, February 1, 5 p.m. in the Library Gallery at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Those attending the free exhibit are asked to bring a tie for donation to Westside Middle School's "Ties for Tuesday" and The Urkel Initiative programs. A collection box will be provided.
Franklin's exhibit entitled "Crossroads: From Sagging to Success,” mixes today’s youthful fashion of sagging with reading. The series of 15 oil paintings will be on display February 1 through February 28, 2011 in the Library Gallery during library hours.
As with much of his artwork, the series of 15 oil paintings in the “Crossroads” exhibit is an expression of the rich heritage of African Americans. In this case, he juxtaposes the “pants on the ground” fashion of sagging with other images and positive role models.
Students, teachers, youth and community groups are encouraged to attend the free exhibit. Franklin says that “Crossroads” illustrates the principle of positive thinking and offers a positive statement about wearing different styles of clothing. The exhibit also points to books and reading as the way to overcome struggles and achieve success.
The partnership allows Franklin to extend the reach of his exhibit and allows Westside Middle School to build on the success of its “Ties on Tuesday” and the Urkel Initiative. Highly successful, the Urkel Initiative resulted in a 85-90% drop in Urkels, i.e., sagging pants at Westside. Principal Bobby White said, purpose of the two programs is to instill pride, passion and professionalism and that the goal is to change attitudes and mindsets, not fashions.
The youngest of six children, Emery was always inspired to be an artist. His first realization of his artistic talents came when he was in junior high at Vance Junior High School in Memphis. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, he was commissioned in 1998 to create the cover for the Memphis Black Heritage Calendar. His pieces have been featured at the National Civil Rights Museum in 2004 and 2006 and at the Vesta Home Show in 2006. His paintings and drawings can be seen in local galleries, offices, homes and throughout the United States. Emery Franklin’s works are currently on display at Artitudes, Gallery 56 , Planet Art and Water Kolours in Memphis as well as E and S Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky. Art by Franklin also can be viewed and purchased online at
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/emery-franklin.html.
Emery Franklin will be featured in the Tennessee Crossroads television show airing January 27th at 7 p.m. on WKNO-TV Channel 10 (PBS). He and his family reside in Arlington, Tenn.
