Manuelita Brown

Personal Statement My work has been described as eclectic and authentically personal, incorporating subtle political statement in expressive, graceful, elegant form. It is figurative, yet often with an abstract basis. Through three decades as wife, mother, and teacher (mathematics, not art) I believe that I have developed a sensitivity to universal human experiences, although my perspective as an African-American woman is often evident. If the viewer remarks, “that's me—I feel just like that” or “I remember that—I've been there” or “I know her” then I have achieved a major goal. I particularly enjoy portrait sculpture—in the faces of people, I see the wonder, the promise, and the majesty of creation. While my goal is to contribute to American public sculpture works that edify human beings and the human spirit, I also want the viewer of my work to respect the strength, the character, and the beauty of my people--the descendants of African survivors in the Americas.

Fine Arts Education
Contributors to my education as an artist began with my father, Armstead Morris. Together we did pastel illustrations for the stories he told and read. He was followed by many fine teachers in public schools, elementary through university. Experiences throughout my life are valued for their contribution to my growth as an artist. Four years of ballet was a way to study the body, its motion and anatomy. Years of studying the faces of my students while they took exams increased my ability to differentiate the characteristics and planes in faces. In the midst of the art classes listed below were other classes such as furniture design and construction, stained glass, pottery, etc. through adult school offerings and local community colleges.

Eugene Daub, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ Figure and Portrait Sculpture in Bas-Relief	2004
Jerry Cox, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ Sculpture & the Dynamic Figure, Scottsdale, AZ	2003
Bruno Lucchesi, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ, Terracotta Sculpture	2003
Nigel Konstam, Verrocchio d'Arte Centro, Casole d'Elsa, Sienna, Italy Stone carving techniques	2000
Lincoln Fox, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ Life Sculpture-the Creative Process in Sculpture	1997, 1999
Ross Stockwell, Mesa Community College, San Diego, CA Life sculpture, clay (1997)	1991, 1995
Lane Campbell, Sculptor and Owner, Fire Arts Foundry, San Diego, CA Sculpture, foundry techniques	1992-1994
Trina Dixon, Arts Center, University of California, San Diego Workshop-Portrait, terra-cotta	1990
Wayne Taysom, Oregon State University Sculpture, clay, welded steel, metal (centrifugal & gravity) casting	1960-1962

Formal Education

M.S. Psychology University of California, San Diego La Jolla, CA	1975-1976
Teaching Credential Oregon State University Secondary Mathematics Corvallis, OR	1966
B.S. Mathematics Oregon State University Corvallis, OR	1960-1962
Virginia State College Petersburg, VA	1958-1960

Awards & Commissions

First Place Sculpture Purchase Award	The Best & The Brightest 2003 Scottsdale, AZ	2003
First Place Fine Art	ArtScape '02 Baltimore, MD	2002
Woman of Distinction 2002	Soroptomist International San Diego, CA	2002
Finalist	Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue, 2000 Northampton, MA	2000
Best of Show 3-D	1999 African American National Arts Festival Dallas, TX	1999
Don Diego Sculpture Award & First Place	Small Sculpture Division, 1998 International Fine Art Show, Del Mar Fair Del Mar, CA	1998
Almas del Mar	TrizecHahn Centers for University Towne Center	1997
Matthew A. Henson bust	Private party	1995
Thurgood Marshall bust	University of California, San Diego	1993
Common Sense Design	Landscape planting designs	1976-1979

Juried Shows & Exhibitions

National Black Fine Arts Show	Puck Bldg., Soho, NY	2004-2006
Just Lookin' Gallery	Hagerstown, MD	2006
San Diego Museum of Art Artists' Guild Juried Show	San Diego, CA	2003, 2005
San Diego Museum of Art Artists' Guild Juried Exhibition	Oceanside, CA	2005
Sculpture Spectacular, The Art & Cultural Center	Fallbrook, CA	2004
Nofufi Gallery	Encinitas, CA	2003
Artexpo NY	New York, NY	2003
National Black Fine Arts Show	Puck Building, New York	2004
National Black Arts Festival	Atlanta, GA	1996, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005
Cova Open Studios	Encinitas, CA	1998, 2003
101 Artists' Colony	Encinitas, CA	2002
National Black Arts Festival	Atlanta, GA	1996, 1998, 2000, 2002
Featured Artist – San Diego Sculptors' Guild	San Diego, CA	2001, 2004
Solo Exhibit - UCSD Faculty Club Gallery	University of California, San Diego, CA	1995, 1999
African American National Arts Festival	Dallas, TX	1999
Pan African Film Festival	Los Angeles, CA	1998, 1999
Art Expo	Philadelphia, PA	1998
COVA Open Studios	San Diego, CA	1998
Sausalito Art Festival	Sausalito, CA	1998
Magnolia Festival of the Arts plus Jazz	El Cajon, CA	1998, 2000
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts	Tampa, FL	1998
International Fine Art Show	Del Mar, CA	1993-95, 1997, 1998, 2003-2005
African American Artists' Celebration	Culver City, CA	1996-98
L.A. Juried Exhibition, William Grant Still Arts Center	Los Angeles, CA	1997
African American Musuem of Fine Art-Juried Exhibit, Paladion	San Diego, CA	1997
The Martin Lawrence Show	HBO Independent Productions, FOX Network	1996
African American Musuem of Fine Art	San Diego, CA	1995, 1996
Celebration of Fine Art	Del Mar, CA	1995
Urban League-Cal Tech-Tournament of Roses Show	Pasadena, CA	1995
Art Face to Face, Sponsored by San Diego Home & Garden Magazine	San Diego, CA	1994, 1995

Organizations

San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild	San Diego, CA	Member & Board member
Arts Commission	Chula Vista, CA	Member
UCSD Black Alumni Scholarship Fund Board	San Diego, CA	Chair

View Manuelita's Sculpture