Hill Health Center News Release

For release February 6, 2004

Information: Robert Kilpatrick 503-3276 (w)

245-4533 (h)

rkilpatrick@hillhealthcenter.com www.hillhealthcenter.com

Black History Month Celebration

The public is invited to attend a celebration for Black History month Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Stetson Library, 200 Dixwell Ave., New Haven, from 2:15 to 4:15.

Winfred Rembert, African American folk artist, will share stories and autograph his new book, "Don't Hold Me Back: My Life and Art." Shafiq Rashid Fulcher Abdussabur, an artist, will exhibit his work. The Village of POWER Gospel Choir will provide musical entertainment. Refreshments will be served courtesy of the Grant Street Partnership treatment program.

In addition to the library, the event is sponsored by the Village of POWER/Hill Health Center; Abdussabur of Boldminds Cultural Art Accents and Exclusive Art Designs; and the Mentoring Program of New Haven Police Services.

Rembert grew up in the 1950s in rural Georgia as the child of field workers whose lives were little better than enslavement. As a young man, he was nearly lynched and served seven years on a prison chain gang. In prison he watched a leather worker and learned to carve and paint the leather himself. He has become a well-known figure in African American folk art and his work is an important part of our America cultural heritage.

Abdussabur is a nationally acclaimed artist who creates cultural art works on wood using paint and permanent markers. He is a police officer stationed in the Dixwell section. His work has been exhibited nationally and locally and he has taught art in the Dixwell Community Art Center.

The Stetson Library has served the community for over 80 years. It is a welcoming communal gathering place that features not only books and journals but also computers, art exhibits, musical programs, creative arts programs and books that are presented in blocks of cultural African American specificity. Peter Menta and Maria Tonelli frequently bring in local artists and musicians to educate and inspire the local children and residents.

The Village of POWER is a substance abuse treatment program funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration specifically for African American women. The program provides intensive case management and life stabilization services out of its Dixwell Avenue offices..

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