John King
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
An Afternoon With John King
As a pioneer and strong advocate for the arts and a civil rights activist, John King has a lot of insights to share about the tumultuous social and political upheaval that shook Sacramento and the nation in the 1960s and 1970s. John was present for the historic march from Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in the heart of downtown Montgomery to Alabama’s State Capitol. He was a member of the Student Non Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) that worked closely with Black citizens throughout the South. Here in Sacramento, he participated in the birth of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and is a loyal member of the oldest black institution on the west coast… Saint Andrews African Methodist Church. It was a focal point of political and social activities. It played a vital role in the development of the local Black community as well as Northern California.
As a young artist in the late 60’s, John was witness to how the volatile political atmosphere being felt throughout the nation was impacting and reorienting the arts as well. John joined Sacramento artists, Bob Burge, Alex Miller, Allen Gordon and Don Price, to form a gallery called The Black Affair. The gallery’s programs introduced our young children to ceramics, drawing and painting, sculpture, weaving, and all aspects of arts and crafts. The five artists gained their popularity through their work in the gallery. In time they scattered, each going his own way to hone skills and gain experiences. Don continued as the gallery’s operator and worked in graphic design. Allen was a professor of art at CSUS and an art critic; Bob worked as a painter and artist; Alex as an artist and filmmaker; and John continued teaching and exhibiting art. Later, John would participate in the birth of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission.
Sunday April 25, 2010 (2:30 – 5:00)
The KUUMBA Gallery
1001 Del Paso Boulevard
Sacramento, California