Exhibition
Spirit of a Community: The Photographs of Charles
Teenie Harris, an exhibition organized by the Westmoreland Museum
of American Art (WMAA), opened on July 14th and runs through September 30,
2005. 
This
exhibit celebrates the black-and-white photography of Pittsburgh artist
and photojournalist Charles “Teenie” Harris spanning the course
of over 40 years in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. Through his photographs,
Harris chronicles the story of everyday life in the African-American community
during the segregation of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, the upheaval
of the Civil Rights movement and desegregation, and a return to the segregated
neighborhoods.
University of Pittsburgh Associate Professor of History Larry Glasco claims that, “Teenie Harris’ collection provides the most comprehensive visual record of any single African American environment.” Charles “Teenie” Harris documented the lives of ordinary African-Americans in Pittsburgh through over 80,000 photographs taken during his career. As a photographer “Teenie” traveled the alleys, workplaces, nightclubs, and ballparks of his native city. His photographs were not only limited to the local people he found in his surroundings. His works extended to documenting the visits of very influential people of his era to Pittsburgh, including Martin Luther King, Jr., President John F. Kennedy, Duke Ellington, and baseball great Jackie Robinson.
A Soulful Journey
Ronald Hall used art as a way to escape his surroundings growing up in a
crime- and drug-infested neighborhood in Pittsburgh. While friends were
lured into lives addicted to drugs and alcohol, Hall resisted the temptations
through his love of making art. After studying fashion illustration and
design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, 
Hall
worked as a visual artist for an on-line game company and as a 3-D graphic
artist for Nintendo. But he never lost the desire to create works that would
help change the way people see and view themselves. Growing up in the ghetto
has had a gigantic impact on his artwork. The images in Hall’s paintings
are very powerful and sometimes disturbing.
Hall wants to educate people through his artwork by opening up their minds to make them aware of different viewpoints. Hall states that “Although most of the subjects in my art are race-related,” Hall said, “I think they’re also issues most people can relate to. I also believe there are historical facts in my paintings that are important for our children to see. For instance, After the Turner Revolt can provoke a conversation about the slavery revolts that occurred.”
Though unsure if his art “can change the world,” Hall said, “all I can do is try to do my part to help change the way people see and view themselves and others as human beings, not superficial beings.”
Hall uses his artwork as a voice to speak to society. Hall said “I consider myself a visual poet” Hall wants his artwork to stop people in their tracks and make them think twice. Hall said “It’s important to get the viewer to stop and look.”