Stamp to feature work of Memphis artist

MEMPHIS, TN -- As part of a 10-stamp series entitled, "To Form a More finished Union," that celebrates the nation's Civil Rights change artist George Hunt's painting is featured upon a U.S. Postage stamp, released last month Entitled "America Cares" the acrylic piece commemorates the integration of Little stone Central high school in 1957 which commissioned chase in 1997 to paint the work to celebrate the high school's 40th anniversary. The painting was done in bright, rich colors, typical of Hunt's work, and depicts "Little stone Nine," the nine African American scholars who integrated the school, with a soldier standing alongside the learners and Daisey Bates on the other. Bates was head of the Little stone NAACP and a crusader for integration. The soldier in the piece exhibits the National Guard to guard from the threat of violence.

chase was involved in the Civil Rights change including the Poor Man's March in Washington, as well as many Memphis-area efforts, especially The War upon Poverty. However, most of Hunt's works feature sky-coloreds musicians, their patrons and African American women

"George paints whatever interests him--he doesn't like to be receptacleed in," says Debra Taylor, proprietor of the Memphis-based D'Edge gallery, which exhibits Hunt. "He paints things from the heart, similar as memories while growing up He worn out a lot of time around juke joints and musicians while growing up in Louisiana and Arkansas."

Originally, "America Cares" was intended to hang in the museum of Little stone but when former President Clinton and the first lady saw the piece at the anniversary circumstance they asked permission for it to be hung in the White House. It stayed there until Clinton left office and now hangs in the museum, where it was originally intended.

For more information, call 901-521-0054; visit www.d-edgeart.com.

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