Monrovia Historical Museum to Honor Abolitionists for Black History Month

Two receptions will be held for “The North Stars” installation, depicting U.S. reformers as saints.

Mixed-media artist Hope Demetriades will give an inside look at her latest works portraying important U.S. abolitionists as saints at two receptions at the Monrovia Historical Museum during Black History Month. “The North Stars: Canonizing the American Abolitionists” aims to educate viewers about the bravery, sacrifice, vision, unity and triumph of reformers who banded together to help eradicate slavery in this country. The Q&A receptions, Sunday, February 8 and February 15, are open to the public.
A trip to a slaveholding, Louisiana plantation when she was 7, and a visit to the slave quarters at Mount Vernon when she was 10, contributed to the artist’s early, intense interest in racial unity. Later, after being bussed to inner-city schools, she became aware of the still-lingering, powerful and destructive effects of slavery and racism in the United States.
“Since then I have always wanted to work for the cause of racial unity, and hope that in some small way my artwork can move us in the right direction. We are all one. When racism goes unacknowledged, the wounds fester rather than heal,” explains Ms. Demetriades. “The story of our American abolitionists is a beautiful example of oneness, which I believe we should celebrate and strive to embody as individuals living in an exquisitely diverse culture.”
Before, during and after the Civil War, American abolitionists-men and women who were African American, Native American, Caucasian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Polytheistic-put aside their differences, devoting and risking their lives to end slavery. Depicted as saints, abolitionists featured in the show include Harriet Beecher Stowe, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Angelina Grimké, Frances Harper, Henry Highland Garnet, William Lloyd Garrison, the Tappan Brothers, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and Theodore Weld.
“The North Stars: Canonizing the American Abolitionists” will remain installed at the Monrovia Historical Museum until February 20. It will move to The Webb Schools in Claremont, Calif., before traveling to other schools, churches and museums across the country. Hope Demetriades holds a MFA from Cal State Fullerton, and a BA in Art and Psychology from Pitzer College.

“The North Stars: Canonizing the American Abolitionists”
Sunday, February 8, 2015, 5-8 p.m., Opening reception
Sunday, February 15, 2015, 5-8 p.m., Second reception
Museum: Monrovia Historical Museum
742 East Lemon Avenue
Monrovia, Calif. 91016
1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday (Viewings: Feb. 8-20)

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