Arts & Culture

CFAC Hosts Artist Talk with James Ransome Oct. 26

Tuesday, October 25, 2016, By Liam Sullivan

The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) welcomes James Ransome for an artist talk Wednesday, Oct. 26, after a month of showcasing his work in its exhibition: “Two Sides of James Ransome: Known and Unknown.”

Ransome will give a presentation, followed by a question and answer session from 7 to 9 p.m. at 805 E. Genesee St. The presentation will take place amidst the gallery so the audience can experience the work simultaneously.

“We at CFAC feel it’s very important for give students a chance to converse deeply with working artists to give them a better chance of succeeding in their own work,” says Jamie Ransome, CFAC’s curatorial assistant, who is also James Ransome’s daughter.

James Ransome has been illustrating children’s books for more than 20 years with almost 50 picture books, many book jackets, greeting cards and pieces in magazines.

Winner of several awards for his illustrations, including the Coretta Scott King and NAACP Image awards, Ransome received a bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration from Pratt Institute in New York. He is the author and illustrator of three books, the latest being “My Teacher.” Ransome’s work is part of both private and public children’s book art collections and a number of commissioned murals, including three for the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati.

Ransome will be speaking with guests about his work, both on display at the exhibition and published elsewhere. The exhibition and Wednesday’s talk will feature a side of Ransome’s work that may be unfamiliar to the public.

“Most people don’t know that he has a passion for abstract art, mirroring his personal passion for jazz music,” says Jaimie Ransome. “He has spent the majority of his career educating young people on the fantastic history of America’s most inspiring athletes, educators and musicians and this show gives him a platform to show his own creative vision, without the restrictions of deadlines and biographic accuracy.”

“It’ll be just pure creativity,” she says.

CFAC is also looking for student-age artists to participate in its upcoming show about the connection and conflicts between race and language, themes featured in Ransome’s work. They are accepting submissions, with a November 25 deadline, for the opportunity to be part of the spring 2017 exhibition and participate in a professional artist talk, in a similar format to Wednesday’s event.

More information can be found on CFAC’s website at http://cmac.syr.edu/community-folk-art-center/.