Doors opened early for the October Gallery’s Black History Month Popup Art Show on Wednesday, where some hundreds came out to meet Internationally Renowned Artist Frank Frazier, who had an exclusive art exhibition in Philadelphia. The artist was scheduled to begin at 12 noon at the October Gallery Museum–but according to Mercer Redcross, owner of the October Gallery, the crowd came early, so he had to open a little earlier than scheduled to accommodate the art lovers–doors opened at 11 am. The exhibit was held til 7 pm.
Just last Sunday, Frank Frazier chatted with me about the exhibit and how he was so excited to bring his work from Texas to Philadelphia and to showcase the work of those he mentors.
Frank began his work as a fine artist early, at the age of seven, creating paintings in his family’s Harlem, New York City home. A husband and father of five, he recalls growing up, “We were not poor, but my family was a little different.” At the age of 15, his family moved to New York City, which brought trouble for the young man who ended up at a boys’ institution in upstate New York, but it also marked the point where Frazier turned his life around; Frank’s teachers noticed his talent, and he was responsible for creating art for the “different bunks.”
Later, as a Sergeant in the Army during Vietnam, officers gave him the responsibility of painting art and shirts for the platoons. Amazingly, after his stint in the service, “I recall my family throwing lots of my art away. Ironically, today, the love and support of his immediate and “great extended family” is what inspires him. He also credits Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Elizabeth Catlett as his biggest artistic inspirations. He said he likes to see young people look with respect and appreciation for the art of today.
For example, the famous basketball player Grant Hill is attracting a younger crowd, which is exposing them to art. But Frank believes in sharing the spotlight with various artists, young and seasoned.
Frank was joined (at the October Gallery) by Lakeem Wilson, Rhea Rose, Laura Lisa, Jerome Jones, Don Obanon, and Mikayla Magee.
Frank concluded by saying, “I like working with black-owned galleries because they also expose us artists to other people’s creativity, old artists and new. Shows like this allow us to make a living off of our creativity with our people supporting us. Now living in Texas, Frazier is currently working on a series of paintings on the civil rights movement. He recently completed a road trip to various Southern cities that were pivotal to the struggle for equal rights, traveling from Jackson, Mississippi, to Birmingham, Alabama, to Selma, to Tuskegee.
Those who attended this free event received a gift bag that included: free tickets to see “One Love” Bob Marley’s story; posters, prints, greeting cards, an African American coloring book, a t-shirt, and a mug.
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Where Is Wendy Williams?” aired on Saturday, Feb. 24, and Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, on Lifetime.
What started as a documentary on Wendy Williams’ comeback–instead showed her deteriorating health. It was plain to see the 59-year-old was not in good health. Her niece, Alex Finne, said when the taping first started, she knew that something wasn’t right. As executive producer of the show, it was Wendy’s dream that the documentary would be a career boost. But instead, she appeared to need serious help. According to Finne in an interview on the Today Show, Wendy is getting help at an undisclosed location. “Wendy is in a treatment facility. They don’t know where, but they had spoken with her, and she sounded good.
The documentary shows that the ex-daytime talk show host, whose beloved show was canceled in 2021 amidst reports of Wendy Williams’ declining health, is clearly struggling.
It was reported that Wendy has been taken advantage of financially by her son–who claims the accusations are false. In the clip, Williams’ family expresses concern that her team is taking advantage of her court-appointed financial guardianship and vulnerability. Williams visibly is confused and lost while crying about her financial restraints. “I have no money,” Williams says in a talking head interview. “I’m gonna tell you something. If it happens to me, it could happen to you.” Wendy has a court-ordered guardian.
The Wendy Williams Show ran for 14 seasons while battling through a 10-year addiction to cocaine and drinking problems. The former shock jock has been in and out of rehab facilities for years, but in 2022, her health appeared to improve while she spent time in Miami with her son, who forced her to stop drinking. Her former husband, Kevin, known to friends as Big Kev, told close associates that he found the scene in the trailer showing Wendy, 59, yelling over a bottle of vodka and appearing disoriented in the middle of New York City was “very sad” to see.
The former Queen of Daytime TV broke down in tears as she struggled with both mental and physical illness in light of the end of her talk show series. “Since I was six years old, all I wanted was to be famous,” Wendy told cameras–as footage of her at her peak played. Well, That’s the Philly Beat!!!!
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