Sabrina Campbell exhibit opens at Black Prairie Blues Museum
On Wednesday, February 1, the Black Prairie Blues Museum officially unveiled its Sabrina Campbell art exhibit. The museum celebrated with a reception, including cocktails, appetizers, and the artist herself speaking to the West Point community. Many members of the West Point community came to show Campbell their support for her art and for Black History Month.
“We celebrate African American culture at the museum, not only for music, but for art, and for all the ways that African Americans contribute to our culture,” said Bob Brzuszek, one of the board members for the museum. “The Black Prairie Blues Museum is pleased to host and feature the art of Sabrina Campbell, and all of the notable figures she includes as part of it.”
Campbell is primarily known for her work in portraiture. Her exhibit at the Black Prairie Blues Museum displays both of these artistic leanings. Many of the pieces displayed feature African American individuals that Campbell admires, including figures like Barack Obama and James Meredith. These portraits also included local figures like Frank Nichols, the first Black Police Chief of Starkville.
“I like to celebrate people in our community. I like to immortalize figures like James Meredith, but to make them feel real. Because I've met James Meredith before, and he talked to me and my Girl Scouts. He signed his portrait in front of them,” said Campbell. “And he was fighting the same fight as Frank Nichols as the first Black Police Chief.”
Campbell is known for incorporating a variety of media into her work. The work displayed at her show includes text art, pen and ink, pointillism, pastels, oil pastels, and many other media. One piece even includes a small wooden door on the front of it.
“There's one particular piece that I'm bringing in that focuses on mental health. Many African Americans run away from psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors,” Campbell said. “But I made this piece after losing my mom, my baby sister, and then recently my mother-in-law and my husband's identical twin brother. And it's called ‘Behind Closed Doors.'”
During the reception, Campbell addressed the community to remind them of the importance of conversations around mental health.
Campbell also addressed a few members of the community specifically, as she is not only an artist, but an art educator at West Point High School. She thanked her fellow teachers who were there with her, along with a few of her students who had come to enjoy the show.
“I'm so thankful for everyone who came out. You've touched my heart in more ways than one,” said Campbell. “I love you and please support the arts, because this is how our students can relax, relate, and release.”
Deborah Mansfield, another local artist and board museum for the blues museum, addressed Campbell's importance as both an artist and an art educator in the West Point community. The Black Prairie Blues Museum repeatedly expressed its gratitude for Campbell's presence in the museum throughout the month of February, as a way to help remind the community of the importance of Black History Month.
“She's such a blessing to all of us, and especially to West Point, because she teaches our youngsters art,” said Deborah Mansfield, local artist and board member for the blues museum. “I'm thrilled that she's able to pass on her energy and talents to younger kids so they can change the world.”
Campbell's work will continue to be displayed at the Black Prairie Blues Museum throughout the month of February. Residents of the West Point and Clay County communities are encouraged to attend to view the museum and the art show.