Ralph Beach Asks...What Is Art To Our Kids?

Sept. 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Artist Ralph beach is passionate about his art because he is passionate about life and especially the quality of life that is offered to those in need.  As a member of the prestigious African American Master Artist Program of Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts (As part of The African American Studies Department). He is best known for images that pull at the emotions and memories of African American youth. His portraits of inner city kids are as poignant and heartfelt as his watercolors of the “Lost Boys of Sudan”.
Ralph Beach’s work speaks volumes about African American life in much the same way Picasso’s early works expressed the nobility of the working class. His paintings are truly examining the grandeur that lies beneath the surface of the common man. Ralph B. Beach was born and raised in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He has been a professional Artist for 20 years and has worked with children of all ages. While working with children in the Sickle Cell Anemia Center at Boston Medical Center he created an art program that helped teenagers express themselves about what it was like to live with the disease. The program was featured on New England News Station Boston WHDH-TV.

Ralph also designed the logo for the Gun Buy Back Program for the Orchard Park Community Center in one of Boston’s toughest neighborhoods of Roxbury, Massachusetts. At the Family Development Center (a therapeutic daycare center) Ralph not only designed their logo he developed an art curriculum that helped toddlers express and cope with the trauma in their young lives.

Since his first exhibit in 1994 titled A Celebration of Everyday people Ralph has had numerous exhibits at Colleges across the state including Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery (BHCC). As an Artist- in-Residence for the Newton Public Schools curriculum Ralph taught portrait drawing for students in grades 4 through 6th. He has also taught painting to seniors in the high schools of Boston, Watertown, and Newton Massachusetts. He is the author of the book “Art Is” which contains much of his work and is especially suitable for children as an introduction to art.
Ralph is also the former Art Director of the Yawkey Boys and Girls club of Roxbury. At Yawkey he was responsible for developing the art curriculum for 350 members ages ranging from 6-18 years old.
Hot Stepz correspondent Mic Theory recently had the opportunity to interview the incredibly talented artist, Teacher, Illustrator and children’s advocate, Ralph Beach, who is creating new works of art at his home in Grayson, Georgia.
Mic: What drives you to paint?
Ralph: Well…I’m not just a painter I have worked with youth and people in need for years counseling but I feel my art is part of me. We all have a need to express what we feel deeply about and there are many ways to do so. Painting is my way... Read the entire interview in the October 2011 issue of Hot Stepz magazine
www.hotstepzmagazine.com

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