Kay B. Brown, 78, in Sept. 2011 (Artist: "The Black Soldier")

[Lenona]

According to familysearch.org, that is. Can't find an obit.

She was born in NYC and apparently lived her last years in Washington,
DC.

http://www.retirement-living.com/an-inspirational-artist/
(includes photo)

"Ms. Kay Brown is a well-known African American artist whose artwork,
a mixed-media collage entitled The Black Soldier, was on display in
Washington, D.C. for two months. It was also included in the The
Spirit of Martin published last year.

"During the early days of her career, Ms. Brown became involved with a
group known as the Weusi Artists. Their artistic focus was identifying
with their African Ancestry and the socio-political issues of the
time. Ms. Brown became the only female member of this illustrious
group.

"She then co-founded the 'Where We At' Black Women Artists collective
that incorporated the artistic philosophy she’d experienced as a
member of the Weusi. Ms. Brown also has two published novels,
including Willy’s Summer Dream, which is based on her youngest son’s
experiences......"

http://www.seaburyresources.org/PDF%20Links/Publications/ResourceNov10_Web2.pdf
(a bit more info - you have to scroll halfway down)


From "Who's Who Among African Americans":

Medgar Evers Col, assoc prof humanities & coord art, 1972-89; Anne
Arundel Community Col, asst prof, 1989-90; MLK Memorial Libr, workshop
coordr, 1992-94, Wash lifelong learning ctr, creative writing instr,
1998; WritersCorps, Nat Serv Network, creative writing instr, 1994-96.

DC Comn on the Arts, Comprehensive Arts Development Grant, 1989;
Prince George's Annual Writers Award, 1990; Certificate of
Appreciation, Medgar Evers Col, 1972-89; Scholar Award, Wash
Humanities Coun, 1994, Scholar's Award, Intergenerational Writing,
1999.

Achievements:

Artwork "The Black Soldier, " & "The Devil And His Game" featured in
Tradition and Conflict: Images of a Turbulent Decade 1963, 1973, by
Mary Schmidt Campell, The Studio Museum in Harlem; Willy's Summer
Dream, a novel for young adults, Harcourt Brace, 1989; Artwork "The
Black Soldier" featured in A Different War: Vietnam In Art, by Lucy R.
Lippard, Real Comet Press, 1990; Art of Love, a novel, CY Publishing
Group, 1995; Profiled in the book Gumbo YaYa, Anthology of
Contemporary African American Women Artists, Midmarch Press, 1995;
"The Emergence of Black Women Artists: 1970s, New York, "
International Review of African American Art, June 1998; Artwork "The
Black Soldier" featured in, In the Spirit of Mortin, by Ctary
Chassman, 2002.

About "Willy's Summer Dream":

"In her first novel, Brown illuminates the heart and emotions of one
of those children who spend their lives in the back of the classroom
failing in silent despair. Willy, 14, can't read. His mother,
overwhelmed by supporting them alone, can't give him the sustained
attention he needs. His Brooklyn school succeeds only in pinpointing
his failure; when a special class is suggested, Willy simply stops
going to school. His overwhelming sense of worthlessness is
crystalized in the book's opening scene in which, despite his height,
he is laughed off a local basketball court because of his lack of
skill. It is only when a neighbor's visiting niece takes an interest
in him that things begin to change. Kathleen seems attracted to him,
believing in his ability to change. She tutors him as the summer
begins, and a tentative relationship ensues. Kathleen's abrupt
departure, when she is called home to the West Indies, throws Willy
for a loop, but his persistence in saving a young child from physical
abuse improves his self image. In the end, he takes another shot at
basketball, a symbol of his taking control of his life. "



Lenona,