Joan Collaso and Sax Preacher rocked Saint Sabina Sisterhood’s gala

 By Chinta Strausberg

Native Chicagoans and Emmy Award vocalist and international vocalist Joan Collaso and Minister Rahim Aton better known as “The Sax Preacher” late Friday night rocked the historic Gallery Guichard located at 3521 So. King Drive with their talents that had more than 200 people mesmerized.

Organized by Saint Sabina Sisterhood leader Janice Murdock, the Art/Jazz Explosion event was a complete success, according to many who attended the gala. Father MichaelL. Pfleger and Father Thulani Magwaza thoroughly enjoyed the talented entertainers.

One of them was Samuel Williams, the MC for the event, choir director and team leader for Saint Sabina’s Selah Youth Choir and an improvisational artist at the Second City where he is performing at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at 1616 North Wells. Referring to Saturday night’s event, Williams said, “It was awesome.”

The Sax Preacher said, “Everything is love and everybody seems to be as one and enjoying themselves and that is what’s good. I love this event, Father Mike…. This is a lovely event.”

Another admirer of the Art/Jazz Explosion was the co-owner of the Gallery Guichard, Andre Guichard, who is also an artist. Come this August, Guichard and his wife, Frances will celebrate their eighth year at his fine arts family operated gallerythat includes paintings from the African Diasporas.

“We’re just having a conversation culturally about the spreading out of the people from the continent of Africa, and we also engage in exhibit multi-cultural artists,” said Mr. Guichard. “We really believe through culture all things canbe discussed and we can actually have a better understanding of our history and how we’re very connected to people from different parts of the world not only African parts but Latin parts and understanding that we’re really closer and probably all related.”

According to Guichard, a variety of people come to the Gallery including all ethnic groups and age groups especially those who are collectors and “those who understand the value of collecting your culture through fine art because it is archival and you can past on wealth and culture through paints and sculptures that speak to you and resonate with you personally.”

A native Chicagoan raised in the Rosemoor community, Mr. Guichard is an artist of 21-years who leans more towards doing three-dimensional canvass sculpture, jazz, landscapes, extracts, still life’s and others works that “speaks to me orare a reflection of my experience.”

Additionally, Guichard, who graduated from St. John grammar school and Mendal Catholic High School, said the Gallery represents about 50 artists from around the worldincluding paintings, sculptures, ceramics, mixed media, pen and ink, charcoal “the whole gamut.”

Once a year, Guichard has a bridge program he does with the continent where he brings the artists and their work to the Gallery but this year it will be held in South Africa in the Eastern Cape.

When asked how was it growing up in the Rosemoor community, Guichard said it was special because of his “very loving parents.” While not rich, he added, “We were full of love, and we had enough to do the things that we could. Our parents sacrificed putting five kids through Catholic schools from kindergarten to 12^thgrade and three of my siblings went to college and my youngest brother went to a HBCU, Howard University. I feel the difference between now and then is just people understanding how important family is in dealing with the problems of our society.”

Running the gallery is a passion for Mr. Guichard. “This is my life passion and an incredible journey. It’s not always easy, but the rewards of all of the peoplewe meet and the experiences of the artists and the joy that people get when they do collect works….”

He is inviting all to his upcoming “Different Strokes Narratives From the African Diaspora” which will be held at the Gallery on Thursday, June 20, 2013 (collectors’preview) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in a “meet and greet” the artists and on Friday, June 21, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the exhibit opening. “Artist Talk” will step off at 7:30 p.m. followed by the “Spoken Word” by Khari B (Disco Poet).

The five artists are: Al Burts from Washington, D.C., Floyd Atkins from Chicago, Kevin Okeith from Atlanta, GA, Buchi Upjohn from Nigeria who lives in Atlanta, GA and Dayo Laoye from Nigeria but lives in Chicago.

“It will be an amazing experience and is also the kick-off of the collaborative in the Bronzeville community of the fine art galleries. “It is the seventh year of the Bronzeville Art District Trolley Tour. It happens the third Friday of every month from June to October from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“The trolley continuously rotates around five galleries. You can jump off like the jazz crawl but each gallery has a different exhibit, treats and wonderful people to welcome you and to allow you to get a broad taste of the cultural taste of the cultural scene in Bronzeville,” said Guichard.

A sign on the wall of the Gallery says it all: “When it comes to telling the story of the African American, one must not be afraid to delve into the themes of race, class, injustice and loss, yet be brave enough to showcase truth-from the perseverance, faith and hope that shape our history.”

RSVP at: <a>andreguichardandgallery@gmail.com</a>

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.