Arts

Theresa India-Young's legacy continues

by Michele D.  Maniscalco
Wednesday Feb 13, 2019

Marleen Neenhuis displays one of her awards
Marleen Neenhuis displays one of her awards  

The Theresa Show, an annual art exhibit and fundraiser to honor the legacy of the late South End fiber artist Theresa-India Young and to finance a scholarship in her name, opened on Friday night, February 8 to a crowd of over 100 artists, neighbors and friends who gathered at the United South End Settlements Harriet Tubman House, 566 Columbus Avenue, to remember the artist and to view multi-media work by local artists and bid in a silent auction, with a portion of proceeds from each sale donated to the Theresa-India Young Ethnic Weaving Scholarship at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

This year's ceremony included a special honor for another veteran South Ender, Marleen Neenhuis, who was recognized by the City of Boston and by the state Senate and House of Representatives for her leadership of the Friends of the South End Library and her efforts to secure funding of renovations to the library and Library Park.

"It's a great thing and a pleasure to be able to focus on something as important as a public library in these times. It's a civic institution that brings people together. The board members and staff of the library have made tremendous progress thanks to our political supporters, our elected officials: the mayor, our city councilors, our state representatives and senators as well as our contributors in the South End who have given almost $100,000 to make improvements to the library," organizers said in a statement.

Young, who was an artist-resident at the Piano Factory, 791 Tremont Street, advocated for carrying on the traditions of her chosen medium, weaving, and the scholarship in her name aids student weavers. Guests nibbled appetizers and desserts supplied by local businesses including Foodie's, Star Market at the Prudential Center, Trader Joe's and Stop and Shop while perusing the multimedia exhibit and silent auction and hearing remarks from current scholarship recipients Zöe Barbano-Grinder and Stacy Arman.

Artist contributors to the Theresa Show include Paul Harrington, David Mynott II, Judith P. Felton, Jeffrey Nowlin, Johnetta Tinker, Patricia McSweeney and Susan G. Thompson. Celebrated painter and Piano Factory resident Paul Goodnight donated a drawing, and artist/scholar Dr. Reginald Jackson donated a historic photo serigraph of Massachusetts Avenue.

The Theresa Show benefit art exhibit and sale will continue through March 29 from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM, and donations to the scholarship fund can be made on-line as well at https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1432/17/interior-wide.aspx?sid=1432&gid=1&pgid=964