Savannah, Georgia-born author Aberjhani has been included among the authors invited to participate in his hometown’s Local Author Day on March 27, 2022, from 1-4 p.m., in Lafayette Square downtown across from the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. The event is free and open to the public. Aberjhani’s works as a writer, and editor, include: memoirs, fiction, poetry, and history ranging from titles on the Harlem Renaissance to volumes on Savannah during the Civil War. He has also in recent years won recognition as an artist and photographer. One of his most notable image series was created in support of efforts to change the name of the Eugene Talmadge Bridge due to its association with white supremacy. Much of his art in general reflects different social, political, and spiritual concerns. “Like pretty much everybody else, I’ve had to cancel different appearances over the past couple of years because of the pandemic,” said Aberjhani, “so hopefully Local Author Day can help me make up for some of those missed dates while also supporting what has become a major cultural arts happening.” He added that due to ongoing supply chain issues, copies of his newest works are limited and readers wishing to purchase books or artwork should arrive early to do so. Local Author Day began in 2013. Writers sign and sell their works for the occasion by invitation only. In addition to giving readers the opportunity to interact with area writers, the event also features the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home Parade, in recognition of O’Connor’s birth in Savannah and her worldwide literary influence. These and other activities help generate funds to support the nonprofit O’Connor Home’s various public programs. It is sponsored by the Home in partnership with The Book Lady Bookstore. “It’s really good to see Savannahians paying tribute to a literary icon like O’Connor,” said Aberjhani, “and I look forward to the day we see comparable acknowledgements in the city of James Alan McPherson. He was another Savannah-born cultural arts hero who happens to have been the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction and whose writings remain influential.” In the event of inclement weather on March 27, Local Author Day will take place April 3rd. For more information please email the Book Lady at Books@thebookladybookstore.com or phone 912-233-3628. Bright Skylark News Notes
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The late Dr. Abigail H. Jordan (1925-2019), who led the decade-long battle to erect the African-American Family Monument in Savannah, Georgia, and who in 1991 founded the Consortium of Doctors, was duly honored in the city July 25-28, 2019, with the unveiling of a new plaque for the monument and other noted events celebrating her legacy.
Savannah Mayor Eddie DeLoach, along with Dr. Jordan's son, Atlanta businessman Ken Jordan, and members of the Consortium of Doctors all participated in the historic event. Mr. Jordan noted the new plaque corrected the previous omission not only of his mother's name, but that of sculptress Dorothy Spradley, also present for the unveiling.
From the inscription: "Educator, Leaders, Trailblazer, and community activist Dr. Jordan's vision, tenacity, and financial contributions were the driving force that ensured the Savannah Riverfront was the home of the first statue in Savannah that honors African Americans. The Consortium of Doctors, Ltd, an organization that Dr. Jordan founded in 1991, made significant contributions to this effort. Sculptress: Dorothy Spradley. This plaque unveiled July 26, 2019." (Photograph by Aberjhani)
The occasion marked the Consortium's 28th conference anniversary. A television cameraman and crowd of excited onlookers recorded videos, took photographs, and applauded as the covering was removed from the new plaque.
Artwork Added ‘Strong Sense’ of Jordan’s Presence to Event
One key component to the weekend of festivities was the artwork by Aberjhani titled "Historic Triumph of Dr. Abigail Jordan," a multimedia composition which includes original interpretations of images of Abigail H. Jordan and the African-American Monument combined with original abstract art. The piece was used on large framable cards, a poster, a tapestry draping the speaker’s podium at the Bouquet of Doctors banquet in the DeSoto Hotel, and on the cover of the banquet program. The artwork, according to various attendees, evoked a strong sense of Dr. Jordan's spiritual presence.
"As many people know already, Dr. Jordan is a principal subject of the story titled "The Bridge and the Monument: A Tale of Two Legacies," published in Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah," said Aberjhani. "It was my great honor and pleasure to count myself among the foot soldiers who assisted her however we could when completing preparations for the dedication of the African-American Monument in 2002. I'm happy to see that honor extended to this very special moment."
In addition to the unveiling of the new plaque and the Bouquet of Doctors Banquet (for induction of new Consortium members), conference events included a Think Tank session held at the historic First African Baptist Church and a Youth Summit at Savannah's famous Beach Institute. Among the attendees at the banquet was former Savannah mayor Edna Jackson, who was presented with a special award. For more information on the Consortium of Doctors please visit: https://www.consortiumofdoctors.com/ Bright Skylark News Notes
Books containing compelling narrative writing combined with appealing fine art by a single creative individual are rare. That makes the forthcoming nonfiction narrative collection by Aberjhani, titled "Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah" (ISBN 978-9388125956), Cyberwit.net Publishers) as well as the artwork from it featured here at Fine Art America/Pixels.com, highly collectible. In addition, the rarity makes them likely to continue increasing in value. The images in the book are black and white versions of color prints which may be viewed by clicking here: Art from and Inspired by Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah Previous announcements concerning a book including art by Aberjhani stated it would be one of art and poetry titled "Incandescent Wonder," so the news regarding "Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah" took some by surprise. "The inclusion of my art and photography in Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah surprised me as well," said the artist-author, "but I've been working on the narrative part of this title for a decade and have been posting updates about it on Facebook and my primary website for the past two years. The art and photography help complete the book in a lot of ways I never expected. I'm glad for the inspiration that prompted me to include it." The recently-posted art titled "Historic Triumph of Dr. Abigail Jordan" corresponds with the 2019 update of the story in DREAMS titled "The Bridge and the Monument: A Tale of Two Legacies." Aberjhani was in the process of completing edits for the book when he learned Dr. Jordan, who for a decade led efforts to erect the famous African-American Family Monument on River Street in Savannah, had passed in January. She is one of three people to whom the new book is dedicated.
"Learning about Abigail Jordan's passing was quite a shock because so little upon her death was done to publicly acknowledge this great woman whose devotion to eradicating racism and promoting cultural literacy in Savannah has blessed the city so much. The unveiling of the monument in 2002 made headlines around the world. How media in the city neglected to properly acknowledge Jordan's passing is somewhat mystifying but hopefully we will correct that by adding her name more prominently to the monument itself in the form of a plaque or historical marker." Pre-sales for the first limited edition of "Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah," due out May 1, 2019, are currently available for ordering here: Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah Now --Bright Skylark News Notes
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