Artist Synthia Saint James exhibit opens in the AACC’s gallery

September 23, 2015 kslegget

Chris Hart-Williams | Editor-in-Chief

In the the art gallery of the African American Cultural Center, AACC now holds the artwork of international award winning multicultural visual artist Synthia Saint James. The center partnered with the Women’s Center, the College of Design, University Housing and Arts NC State to host Saint James and her art. The exhibit entitled The Creative World of Synthia SAINT JAMES opened on September 15, 2015.

One of Saint James most known pieces is featured on the cover of the award winning book “Waiting to Exhale,” a New York Times bestseller by Terry McMillan published in 1992. She credits that commision for introducing her work for making her known internationally.

“When we got the book we were struck by the beauty of the cover and we were so excited, we wanted to know where this artwork came from ” said AACC interim director Frances Graham when she spoke at the new exhibit’s opening about her and friends admiration of the cover’s illustration when they got their copies of the book. “It has been such a pleasure to have Dr. Saint James on our campus this week we love the work that she does and the inspiration that she brings.”

Saint James is the designer of the first US postal stamp for the Kwanzaa holiday and her artistry is featured at the 2’8 foot by 150 foot ceramic tile design for the Ontario, CA International Airport , her paintings are on the covers of over 70 books.

The self taught artist she credits her African- American, Native-American, Haitian, Jewish and German ancestry for her talent.

“I’ve been wanting to come here for about five years.” I started sending things her and finally it got to the right people”

Music dance, nature, countries of the world and books she reads are some of what inspires Saint James.

“Then other times it would be something I really would like to know about, but I don’t know anything about,” said Saint James. “I do a lot of research and from that comes the inspiration.”

In the last thirteen years Saint James said she’s developed a strong ritual at home, the beach is one of the places she likes to take walks before painting.

“I can’t do it everywhere,” said Saint James who currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

“I get up extremely early so that I can do the little business of art. and do all of the computer work…then I drive, listen to music, whatever I’m feeling at the time and get to the beach before dawn,” Saint James said. “I get there Just before dawn sunrise and when I get to the beach I walk on the sand closest to the water where on many days I see the dolphins, seals and all kinds of birds…it’s the beginning of their morning but the most radiant thing is seeing the sun rise and.”

After her 45 minute drive and walk she does her affirmations and prayers and she gets what she refers to as “tunnel vision” about what she can get done that day. She also mediates for inspiration and to decided what to title a piece.

Saint James is no stranger to Raleigh in May of 2010 she received her first Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters from Saint Augustine’s University on Oakwood Ave. She would connect with the school again in the Fall of 2012 to open the Synthia Saint James Fine Art Institute at Saint Augustine’s University.

Saint James’ exhibit will remain on display until December 4, the center’s art gallery is located on the second floor of Witherspoon Student Center.

One of Saint James most known pieces is featured on the cover of the award winning book “Waiting to Exhale,” a New York Times bestseller by Terry McMillan published in 1992. She credits that commission for introducing her work for making her known internationally.