Artist Stephanie Woodson Painted LIVE at the Pontiac Branch Library When: February 7, 2019

Header: “The Griot” by Stephanie Woodson, at the Pontiac Branch Library [PHOTO: COURTESY]

As part of the Allen County Public Library’s 2019 Black History Month celebration, the Pontiac Branch Library invited local artist Stephanie Woodson to paint a work of her art in real time, allowing the audience to engage the painter LIVE.  The finished piece will be displayed at the 2215 South Hanna Street branch location for a period of time.

The finished product is called “The Griot,” in tribute to, as Woodson described her on a Facebook post, “local legend, history keeper, storyteller,” and former Pontiac Branch Manager, Chief Condra Ridley.

Other Black History Month Celebrations included a commemoration of the 1960 Greensboro, North Carolina Woolworth Department Store, lunch-counter sit-in, a free breakfast and movie night, and an African dance lesson from Omatoyo Rite of Passage founder, Diane Rogers.