Arts and Culture

Renowned Sculptor Bruce Beasley and the Art of Philanthropy

Published

9 years ago

January 27, 2015

Twenty-five hundred years ago, Sun Tzu wrote the classic book of military strategy, “The Art of War,” based on Chinese warfare and military thought.

Since that time, all levels of the military have adapted teachings of Sun Tzu about warfare and civilization and applied them to our every-day environments.

The “Art of Philanthropy” encompasses a similar set of principles that define the ‘tools and rules’ of giving, and also shows the path to a set of expected outcomes if understood and effectively applied.

Enter sculptor Bruce Beasley, life-long resident of West Oakland.

Beasley’s career as a sculptor began in 1962 when he graduated from UC Berkeley.

Most graduating students start their careers in their chosen fields at an “entry-level” position in a business. As a graduating art student, Bruce had a different “entry-level” experience when he entered the world of art.

In 1962, the Museum of Modern Art acquired one of his sculptures, making him the youngest artist to have their work in the permanent collection of the flagship of modern art museums.

The following year, he was one of 11 artists to represent the U.S. at the Biennale de Paris, where French Minister of Culture Andre Malraux awarded him the purchase prize.

The professorial staff in the art department at UC Berkeley asked Bruce to join them and pursue a career in academia.

But Bruce had other ideas.

He rented a dilapidated building in West Oakland to begin his art career. He soon discovered a building that was for sale and was considering making West Oakland his permanent home.

“Everyone advised me that ‘It was the right building but in the wrong neighborhood.’ There were no city services, no street lights, no curbs and gutters, no street trees, it was red-lined by the banks, and West Oakland was pretty much considered a no-go area by most people,” he continued.

He thought to himself, “If it’s the right building, why not help turn the wrong neighborhood into the right neighborhood? As a young artist, my economic status was similar to my neighbors, but I knew that was really a voluntary choice on my part because of pursuing an art career. I had options that my neighbors did not. My neighbor’s economic status was involuntary.”

This was the point at which he realized he needed to turn a vague and unfocused sense of social responsibility into real action aimed at real, tangible change. He has honed this skill over the span of his artistic career.

A few months ago, Bruce bequeathed $20 million in property and art to the Oakland Museum of California to create a Sculpture Center in West Oakland.

This legacy gift is the foundation of what Bruce envisions will propel sculptors, artists and artisans, and their works to the next level.

In the single gesture of this gift, he has ‘paid forward’ his notion of social responsibility and set precedence for others to follow.

“I chose the museum as my beneficiary because they have the long view,” said Beasley. “They are strategic and thoughtful about how their work fits within the context of what’s gone on before and what’s coming next.”

One of the defining characteristics of the philanthropist is his or her ability to step back from their work and see the bigger picture.

Bruce sees the big picture.

“Art is something that all Oaklanders should have the opportunity to enjoy, and Bruce understands that,” said Mayor Libby Schaaf. “We are grateful for Bruce’s continued commitment to bettering his community through creativity and philanthropy.”

Conway Jones. Artwork by Errol Zachery.

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Arts and Culture

Oakland Jazz Great Offers Master Class as City Declares “John Handy Day”

World-renowned jazz master saxophonist John Handy, a McClymond’s High School graduate, was presented with a Mayor of Oakland Proclamation declaring Feb. 12, as John Handy Day in the city. Handy is most notably known as the featured saxophonist for Charles Mingus on “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” from the album “Mingus Ah Um” (1959) and on “Hard Work” from his own album “Hard Work” (1976).

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2024

Oakland Post

(L-R) Del Handy, John Handy, Roger Glenn, and Joe Warner celebrate John Handy Day at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, Oakland. Photo by Lady Bianca.

By Conway Jones

World-renowned jazz master saxophonist John Handy, a McClymond’s High School graduate, was presented with a Mayor of Oakland Proclamation declaring Feb. 12, as John Handy Day in the city.

Handy is most notably known as the featured saxophonist for Charles Mingus on “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” from the album “Mingus Ah Um” (1959) and on “Hard Work” from his own album “Hard Work” (1976).

“John Handy is a jazz icon and an inspiration to musicians everywhere,” said Ayo Brame, a 16-year-old Oakland tenor saxophone player who is enrolled at the Oakland School for the Arts.

In celebration of this day, the reception in downtown Oakland at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle was a gathering of artists, young and old, coming together in his honor and celebrating his 91st birthday.

Handy presented a Saxophone Colossus free masterclass for musicians. This class afforded a rare opportunity to learn about the saxophone from an aficionado. The class was free and open to all – saxophonists, vocalists, aficionados, students, and casual listeners.

“As a longtime friend for over 60 years, and fellow musician who has had numerous opportunities to share the stage with John, it has always been a pleasure performing with him and hearing his creative interpretations of the music and his gift of ease inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians,” said Roger Glenn, a multi-instrumentalist.

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Arts and Culture

Musical Chronicling Life of Betty Reid Soskin Set for Bay Area Debut

Betty Reid Soskin’s storied 102 years includes time spent as a WWII defense worker, activist, business owner, songwriter, National Park Service park ranger and so much more. Now the Richmond icon is the subject of a musical based on her incredible life.

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Betty Reid Soskin. Photo courtesy of Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond.

The Richmond Standard

“Sign My Name to Freedom,” a San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO) production which will focus on the life, music and writing of Ms. Soskin, will premiere at San Francisco’s Z Space Friday, March 29 and continue through Saturday, April 13. Tickets range from $15–$65 and can be purchased online at https://www.sfbatco.org/smntf

The musical is directed by Elizabeth Carter, while playwright Michael Gene Sullivan integrates Ms. Soskin’s own music throughout dialogue between what SFBATCO calls “The Four Bettys” as they progress through a century of experiences of this awe-inspiring American woman.

The cast of “Sign My Name to Freedom” features Tierra Allen as Little Betty, Aidaa Peerzada as Married Betty, Lucca Troutman as Revolutionary Betty and Cathleen Riddley as Present Betty Reid Soskin, according to Artistic Director Rodney Earl Jackson Jr. and Managing Director Adam Maggio. Other casting will be announced in the future.

Jackson said that having Soskin’s blessing to steward her life’s story is an honor and career highlight for him and that her journey stands as “a beacon for Black Americans, women and people of color all across the world [and] is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.”

San Francisco’s Z Space is located at 450 Florida St. in San Francisco. Check out the trailer here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-ap9N2XBB0

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Arts and Culture

Gov. Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom Host 2024 Hall of Fame Ceremony

Former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and three other African Americans were among 10 luminaries inducted into the 2024 Class of the California Hall of Fame on Feb. 8. The 17th Annual California Hall of Fame ceremony was held at the California Museum.

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Willie Brown, Former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor, was proud to be among the Hall of Fame inductees. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

By California Black Media

Former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and three other African Americans were among 10 luminaries inducted into the 2024 Class of the California Hall of Fame on Feb. 8.

The 17^th Annual California Hall of Fame ceremony was held at the California Museum.

“The California Hall of Fame is one of our families’ favorite traditions as it is a time to come together to celebrate remarkable Californians as well as their loved ones because we know that it is about partnerships,” Siebel Newsom said. “The governor likes to say that California is a dream factory because it doesn’t matter what zip code or background you come from, the California dream is alive and well to everyone who calls this state home.”

The other Black honorees were filmmaker Ava DuVernay; Federal Judge and civil rights leader, the Hon. Thelton Henderson; and basketball Hall of Fame player and broadcaster Cheryl Miller.

“It’s what I’ve been waiting for and to be among a great group of individuals that also deserve the honor,” Brown told California Black Media on the event’s red carpet before the ceremony began. “No, I never thought someone from Texas would be recognized this way. But here I am, and it all happened in the great state of California. It’s a fantastic feeling.”

Other 2024 inductees are: master chef and “mother of fusion cuisine” Helene An; computer scientist and “father of the internet” Vincent A. Cerf; all-female pop punk band The Go-Gos; Chicano Rock band Los Lobos; former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Congressman Leon E. Panetta; and artistic director and choreographer Brenda Way.

This year’s honorees join a history-making club with over 150 inspirational Californians previously inducted for their groundbreaking achievements and personifying the state’s innovative spirit.

“It’s just a humbling experience. I want to thank the Governor and First Partner. Who would have thought 100 years ago (that I would be inducted?) It’s incredible,” Miller said after her induction. “I want to thank the governor and First Partner for an incredible event.”

During his acceptance speech, Henderson said he was deeply honored.

“You know, it really would have been a really big deal to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the area where I grew up, for example, South Central Hall of Fame, or the Watts Hall of Fame, or the Straight Out of Compton Hall of Fame,” he said. “But being inducted into the California Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame of the greatest state in the country in this great nation is something else.”