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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (10/28/15)
Contact: Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.,
Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
662-392-2016 662-247-1471
e-mail:
JuneteenthDOC@yahoo.com
Ted Ellis, Chairman
National Juneteenth Art Commission
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
832-385-2249
e-mail: tedellisart@gmail.com
web sites: www.tellisfineart.com
Ted Ellis Art Exhibit
at the U.S. Capitol
150th Year Anniversary of the 13th Amendment
Congressman Randy Weber Host Historic 150th
Art Exhibit of the 13th Amendment
& Juneteenth
National Juneteenth Visual Artist Ted Ellis Art Exhibit will be
featured at the
U.S.
Capitol, November 19, 2015. The exhibit
is
part
of the celebration of the 150th year ratification of the
13th Amendment
and
Juneteenth
in America.
Congressman Randy Weber
(Washington, DC) - Ted T. Ellis, National Juneteenth Visual Artist for the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF), has been selected to showcase ten of his historical paintings from his Juneteenth Freedom Project Series at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on Thursday, November 19, 2015. The art exhibit is part of the continuing 150th year celebration of the ratification and adoption of the 13th Amendment and Juneteenth.
Hosted by Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX), the exhibit features the original art work of the award winning and critically acclaimed Galveston, TX area artist. The exhibit was featured during the week of the 150th year celebration of Juneteenth in the nation's capitol in June.
For the last ten years, the artistic efforts of Ellis to pictorially document the beginning of slavery up onto the election of the first African American president of the United States has brought much attention from across the nation. The ten iconic paintings created by Ellis, powerfully captures the strength and accomplishments of African Americans for over 400 years.
Ellis continues the historic Juneteenth ground breaking artistic legacy of the late African American visual artist, Alvin Carter, at the U.S. Capitol, dating back t0 1997.
Juneteenth
, or the
"19th of June"
, recognizes June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest. Texas was the last state in rebellion to allow slavery following the end of the
Civil War
. This occurred more than two and a half years after the
Emancipation Proclamation
was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon the issuing of
General Order #3
by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated, establishing America's second Independence Day Celebration and the oldest African American holiday observance.
Juneteenth
is now recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in
43 states
. In 2003, the District of Columbia passed legislation to recognize
Juneteenth
as a district holiday observance.
Since 1997, the
U.S. Congress
has unanimously passed legislation recognizing
Juneteenth
for several years.
In 2014 & 2015, the
U.S. Senate
Independence
Day
in America.
The Galveston Daily News, the oldest news publication in the Texas, selected "Free At Last", a painting by Ellis, as their official image used for the 150th commemorative magazine.
"I paint subjects that are representative of the many facets of American life as I know it," states Ted Ellis. "I like to think of myself as a creative historian. I
was put here to record history and all aspects of American culture and
heritage."
Ellis' involvement in the community as an art advocate and educator has earned him recognition from across Texas. Ellis' latest exhibit entitled, "Our History, Heritage and Culture, an American Story", encompasses the diversity and cultural similarities of all Americans
and will travel across the country.
Some of Ellis' previous exhibits include, "American Slavery: The Reason Why We are Here", ''Say My Name', and Courage of Conviction, African Americans who Serve in the Military from Colonial Times until Now", and "Something to See, Native Son Comes Home", and "Born in the Spirit."
The art exhibit will be displayed in the
Rayburn House Office Building, located on the house side of the
U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC, from 8:00am-3:00pm, on Thursday, November 19, 2015.
Ellis resides in Friendswood, TX with his family.
For information contact Dr. Ron Myers at 662-392-2016 or 662-247-1471; or web site: www.NationalJuneteenth.com; or Sam Collins at 409-256-3822.
"Art that captivates and celebrates American
history, culture and lifestyle" Ted Ellis
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