Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture

MacDonald, Mayes to be Honored at The Black Lounge Celebration

Monday, February 6, 2017, By Shannon Andre
Share
arts and humanitiesfaculty

On Saturday, Feb. 11, during the Black Lounge celebration and dinner, the Office of Program Development and Office of Multicultural Affairs will present the annual Trailblazer Award. This year’s Trailblazer Awardees are David MacDonald, internationally renowned artist and professor emeritus of ceramics in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Janis A. Mayes, associate professor in the Department of African American Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.

David MacDonald

David MacDonald

MacDonald’s artistic works are heavily inspired by his investigation of his African heritage and the surface decoration seen in the many ethnic groups of sub-Saharan Africa. His work is in the permanent collections of the Studio Museum in Harlem, Montclair Art Museum in New Jersey and Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse. He is also co-founder of the Community Folk Art Center.

Mayes’ research and teaching interests focus on African and diaspora literatures in French and English languages, international Black women’s writing and literary translation practice and studies. She is also the director and creator of Paris Noir, a joint program of the College of Arts and Sciences and SU Abroad, which takes students to Paris to explore the influence of Black culture and literature.

“We are pleased to recognize and celebrate the many contributions Janis and David have made to the Syracuse University community, especially their contributions to the arts and to the many students who have been influenced and impacted by their teaching,” says Angela Morales-Patterson, assistant director of alumni and donor engagement in the Office of Program Development.

Janis Mayes

Janis Mayes

The Black Lounge begins at 7 p.m. in the Goldstein Auditorium in Schine Student Center. The event is co-sponsored by the Black Artist League, Black Graduate Student Association, Office of Program Development, Office of Multicultural Affairs and Student African American Society.  The music headliner is Riff, an R&B vocal group from Paterson, New Jersey, which sang in “Lean on Me,” a movie based on events in their high school, Eastside High. The event will also feature ASV “On Fire for God,” Charity Luster, TANKSLEY and DJ Maestro. Tickets are available for $3 at the Schine Box Office.

“The Black Lounge is a signature event of our Black History Month celebration where we celebrate aspects of Black music, art and culture,” says Cedric T. Bolton, coordinator of student engagement in the Office of Multicultural Affairs.  “Each year we are pleased to partner with many great organizations to honor members of our community, enjoy music and support independent and emerging Black artists.”

For more information about the Black Lounge or Black History Month, visit the Office of Multicultural Affairs website.  Questions can be directed to Bolton at ctbolton@syr.edu or 315.443.9676.

  • Author

Shannon Andre

  • Recent
  • Student Veteran Anthony Ruscitto Honored as a Tillman Scholar
    Friday, July 18, 2025, By John Boccacino
  • Bandier Students Explore Latin America’s Music Industry
    Thursday, July 17, 2025, By Keith Kobland
  • Architecture Students’ Project Selected for Royal Academy Exhibition
    Thursday, July 17, 2025, By Julie Sharkey
  • NSF I-Corps Semiconductor and Microelectronics Free Virtual Course Being Offered
    Wednesday, July 16, 2025, By Cristina Hatem
  • Jianshun ‘Jensen’ Zhang Named Interim Department Chair of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
    Wednesday, July 16, 2025, By Emma Ertinger

More In Arts & Culture

Architecture Students’ Project Selected for Royal Academy Exhibition

In a prestigious international honor, a project by three students from the School of Architecture has been selected for inclusion in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2025, currently on view in London. The work, titled “Evolving an Urban Ecology,” was…

Vintage Over Digital: Alumnus Dan Cohen’s Voyager CD Bag Merges Music and Fashion

Bucking the trend of streaming music platforms and contrary to what one might expect of a member of his generation, musician Dan Cohen ’25 prefers listening to his favorite artists on compact disc (CD) and record players. His research and…

VPA Announces New Drama Department Chair

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) has appointed Eleanor Holdridge as the new chair of the Department of Drama effective July 1. Holdridge comes to Syracuse University from the Catholic University of America, where she served as professor…

Swinging Into Summer: Syracuse International Jazz Fest Returns With Star Power, Student Talent and a Soulful Campus Finale

Get ready for the sweet summer sounds of jazz in the city and on campus. The University is again a sponsor of the Syracuse International Jazz Fest, a five-day celebration of world-class jazz music and community spirit, taking place June…

Tiffany Xu Named Harry der Boghosian Fellow for 2025-26

The School of Architecture has announced that architect Tiffany Xu is the Harry der Boghosian Fellow for 2025–26. Xu will succeed current fellow, Erin Cuevas, and become the tenth fellow at the school. The Boghosian Fellowship at the School of…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.