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2024 Black History Month Theme – African American and the Arts
news
February 21, 2024
2024 Black History Month Theme – African American and the Arts
By ALMA HARPER GARDENIA ART CLUB,

In celebrating Black History Month 2024, the theme reflects on the contributions of Black artists, musicians, writers and visionaries who have made amazing contributions to American culture.

1. Sweetgrass Basket Traditions: Enslaved Africans in the Low Country initiated a tradition of crafting sweetgrass baskets, showcasing their visual artistry through unique forms of craft.

2. Spirituals and Blues: The suffering of those in bondage gave birth to spirituals, marking the nation’s first contribution to music. Blues musicians like Robert Johnson and BB King pioneered a genre that became foundational for gospel soul and other evolving forms of music.

3. Literary Pioneers: Early literary contributions include works by poets like Phyliss Wheatley and writers such as David Walker and Maria Stewart. Sculptures by Edmonia Lewis and paintings by Henry O. Tanner are included.

Cultural Movements and Artistic Renaissance The 1920s and 30s witnessed the rise of the Black Renaissance and the New Negro Movement. Notable figures like Langston Hughes, Josephine Baker and Lois Mailou Jones contributed to the global recognition of Black culture.

– Harlem Renaissance: The cultural explosion in the 1920s celebrated Black creativity, including literature, music, visual arts and social activism. Cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and New Orleans also became hubs for Black artists.

– Black Arts Movements: The 1960s marked the Black Arts Movement, emphasizing pride in heritage and establishing galleries and exhibitions to showcase Black artists’ work. Icons like Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Amiri Baraka, Nikki Giovanni and Sonia Sanchez emerged during this period.

The Harlem Renaissance was a period of rich cross disciplinary artistic and cultural activity among African Americans. While the Harlem Renaissance may be known best for its literary and performing arts – pioneering figures such as Langston Hughes, Zora Nele Hurston, Duke Ellington and Ma Rainey may be familiar – sculptors, painters and printmakers were key contributors to the first modern Afrocentric cultural movement.

Eufaula Memorial Library
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Eufaula Memorial Library
July 2, 2025
A llama and a youngster got acquainted at a petting zoo at the Eufaula Memorial Library Wednesday, June 25. Dozens of kids and adults enjoyed the llama, goats, donkey and other animals, provided by Ma...
A: Main, news
Eufaula hosting July 4 Celebration
July 2, 2025
Mayor James Hickman and the City of Eufaula are honored to invite residents and visitors to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4. The fireworks will begin shortly after su...
A legacy lives on
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A legacy lives on
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
July 2, 2025
Selby Minner’s Celebration of Life on Saturday at the Checotah Performing Arts Center was a beautiful 3-hour-long tribute to an amazing soul who loved the blues and more importantly, loved people. As ...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, news
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 2, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
A: Main, news
Native American Arts & Crafts show Saturday
July 2, 2025
Eufaula Indian Community will host an Arts and Crafts show and sale Saturday, July 5 at the IEC Center, 800 Birkes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to this event, a chair volleyball tournament...
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
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Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
July 2, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford of Eufaula was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This past week Olivi...
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 2, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
Another busy week in the district
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Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 2, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
Killing them with kindness
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Killing them with kindness
July 2, 2025
What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
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‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
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Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
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