The Arts
Additionally, we have supported various art endeavors at the John
Heinz History Center, the Sweetwater Center for the Arts, and the
annual Mavuno Festival. In 2002, the Chapter presented
Metropolitan Opera star, Denyce Graves in a benefit concert.
$25,000 was presented to the Homewood Branch of the Carnegie
Library for the Children’s Reference and Media Room and $25,000
was donated to the then proposed August Wilson Center for
African American Culture. The Pittsburgh chapter continues to
participate in The Links, Incorporated’s National Poster Art
Competition, and encouraging local youth to create poster
designs for a selected theme. Most recently the Arts Facet hosted
a reception with acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni and collaborated
with youth engagement organization Gwen’s Girls on a number of
arts enrichment activities.
The Links, Incorporated has supported the arts for many years. The
organization’s co-founder, Margaret Roselle Hawkins, was a talented artist
and art teacher, and was influential in the creation of this program facet.
The Pittsburgh Links continue to promote the arts by presenting local and
national artists to the Pittsburgh community. Pittsburgh Links also
encourage students to participate in the organization’s National Poster Art
Contest.
The Arts facet was established in 1964 at The Links, Incorporated
14th National Assembly. The goal of The Arts facet is to increase
and expand art activity, elevate our programs through arts
integration and effectively create an arts renaissance within our
organization and programmatic efforts. The Pittsburgh Chapter
has presented outstanding local African Americans: Patricia
Prattis Jennings, keyboard principal with the Pittsburgh
Symphony; Owen Young, cellist with the Boston Symphony, and
Denise Sheffeywith the Pittsburgh Opera Chorus. We have also
brought outstanding art exhibits and artists namely African
American Art from the Barnett Aden Collection and the Ann
Tanksley Exhibit on the life and work of Zora Neale Hurston to our
community.