Paintings depict W. African troupe
During the past two decades, painter Suzanne Accetta has moved from portraits to theater sets to outdoor scenes to her latest focus: a vibrant central Ohio dance troupe.
“About six years ago, I saw a postcard of the Thiossane West African Dance Institute and went to a dress rehearsal at the Lincoln Theatre,” Accetta said.
“I was fascinated.”
Ever since, she has been painting the dancers and drummers of the group, led by Artistic Director Suzan Bradford Kounta.
Thirty of Accetta’s watercolors — most showing performing troupe members — are on view through May 27 in “Inspirations From the Stage” at the High Road Gallery in Worthington.
Accetta’s works are colorful and animated, even when her subject is a dancer or musician in repose.
“Reflections in Blue” showcases dreadlocked drummer Carlton Pope. The soft blue of his robe is mirrored in the blue-and-orange drape in the background.
“The Offering” shows seven female dancers in motion, all holding beaded baskets over their heads.
“Life Celebration” and “Mirror to Thee” focus on women in bright-red dresses and headdresses performing a dance intended to bring health to a newborn baby and mother. Both paintings reflect Accetta’s interest and competence in capturing human movement and the joy her subjects discover in dance.
One of the few paintings in the exhibit not connected to the dance troupe is “Doctor Mac,” depicting South Carolina blues guitarist Mac Arnold, who used to play with Muddy Waters’ band. Accetta struck up a friendship with the musician after seeing him perform.
The 63-year-old artist is well-known in the Columbus theater community as a set designer and an occasional director of plays, often for Columbus Children’s Theatre. She also teaches at Otterbein University and the Columbus Cultural Arts Center.
She likens painting the Thiossane dancers to her work in the theater. “It’s the same principles, like composition and balance,” she said.
She works from photographs of her subjects, painting in her studio in her Clintonville home. She now has more than 80 paintings of the troupe.
“It’s been so much fun, and they’re so interesting,” she said, “I’ll probably be painting these people forever.”