{"id":1595,"date":"2020-10-21T13:00:18","date_gmt":"2020-10-21T13:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.pafaarchives.org\/blog\/?p=1595"},"modified":"2021-05-06T14:13:24","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T14:13:24","slug":"john-and-richenda-rhoden-pillars-of-the-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.pafaarchives.org\/blog\/collection\/john-and-richenda-rhoden-pillars-of-the-community\/","title":{"rendered":"John and Richenda Rhoden: Pillars of the Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Contributed by Kelin Baldridge, Project Archivist for the John Rhoden papers<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Rhoden\u2019s later career was buzzing with artistic activity. From the 1970\u2019s onward, he exhibited extensively and completed several major commissions. He exhibited at the University of Pittsburgh, the Whitney Museum, LACMA, the Birmingham Museum of Art, among many others. He completed Nesaika for the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Mitochondria for the Bellevue Hospital Center, Frederick Douglass for Lincoln University, and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, despite this later career chock full of high art commitments, John\u2019s main priority seemed to be his community. He worked for the New York Board of Education, taught classes, shared his artistic knowledge, and, along with Richenda, hosted tours of his home and studio, and organized festivals for the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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John and Richenda with students from P.S. 8, 1975<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Students touring the Rhoden studio and carving pumpkins, 1970s<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Rhodens\u2019 later careers and lives seemed focused on community, friendships, and togetherness. These priorities are a major departure from their early lives as borderline-nomadic jet-setters immersed in the international art scene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

John\u2019s work as an educator is prominently documented in the John Rhoden papers. He was evidently beloved in the community and school system. He seemed to champion the students often underserved by the education system. Time and time again, he is showered with praise for his contributions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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John leading a tour of the Rhoden studio for students of the East Harlem Career Academy, 1977<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Your selfless concern for these students is an indication of your professionalism and your obvious commitment to them. You are an outstanding example of the many fine and dedicated teachers in our system.\u201d<\/em> – Frank Macchiarola, Chancellor of the New York Board of Education, October 28, 1982<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A mural by John Rhoden for the East Harlem Career Academy’s Career Day, 1979<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Through your dynamic leadership, each of these students involved in your projects grew tremendously as students and as persons. It has been a pleasure to work with such a renounded individual such as you. Not only have you given insight into your extensive knowledge of the arts, but into your unselfish devotion to the cause of education for minority students.\u201d<\/em> – Nellie Jordan, Director of East Harlem Career Academy, June 28, 1977<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most touching items from John\u2019s work with the community comes in the form of a two-page, handwritten letter from a student moved by John\u2019s contributions and work in 1978. As the student, Frank Conception, points out, Rhoden had already made it in the art world, and as such, his work with the younger generation is a truly selfless act. He wanted only to share his knowledge and help a new generation of artists (and people) rise up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n