On January 17th, 2011 I went to the Indianapolis Museum of Art to listen to ‘A Conversation with Artists: Courage to Pursue the Arts’, featuring artist Willis “Bing” Davis, author Mari Evans and my mentor David N. Baker. The talk was moderated by Modupe Labode.
First the panelists:
Willis “Bing” Davis is a contemporary artist and educator. He is currently the President of the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Artists. Art to David “is a wonderful way to understand self and to understand others.”
Mari Evans is a poet, author, orator and educator. Her career includes teaching literature at Marion College, Washington University at Sait Louis, State-University of New York, and Cornell University.
David N. Baker is a jazz musician, composer and conductor. He studied music and education at Indiana University where he received a Masers of Music Education. Dr. Baker has served on multiple boards, panels and has received numerous awards for his work including serving as a senior consultant for music programs at the Smithsonian.
The talk was all about courage. The panelists all grew up before the Civil Rights movement and were beginning their illustrious careers during the 60s. The talk also occurred on the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. Many of the questions circled around the idea of courage, being courageous and teaching courage. The panelists were all inspiring and had great stories to tell. I felt invigorated and yet still somewhat ashamed of my acceptance of the way things are instead of challenging and changing my surroundings. Below are some of the thought provoking quotes I was able to jot down during the session:
Dr. David Baker, Distinguished Professor of Music
David Baker:
I can outwork your talent.
Question Everything
One thing you can’t change is the fact you are a human being. If you aren’t’ a good human being, everything else is greatly diminished.
Mari Evans:
Poet, Author, Orator, Mari Evans
The only obstacle I ever faced was my own ignorance.
Facts have meaning when they are attached to other facts.
Don’t say: How do I become famous. Instead say, how do I reach excellence.
Artist, Lecturer, Willis "Bing" Davis
Willis “Bing” Davis:
Ask yourself ‘Who am I?’
Give back what you’ve been given.
You may travel the world, but keep dust on your shoes.
~RBD
Wish I could attend these – they sound wonderful! I loved David’s advice – obviously, he influenced you greatly because you live by them.
As to the PR about the IU event – maybe you didn’t see the PR because you are not on campus much? But I agree it could have been in an email. The mike thing is inexcusable. The baby thing is common to us Revs. One frind of mine once stopped in the middle of her sermon when a baby was crying and said”Let’s just listen to the sound of life” I thought that was a wonderful way to handle it.