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Counting My Blessings

Jan 4 - Apr 23, 2020

An exhibit of paintings by Chad Cortez Everett
Tree Room Gallery. Free and open to the public!

Artist's Reception & Talk: January 5, 2020, 2-4pm.

Pictured: "Am Blessed" (c) CCE

ARTIST’S STATEMENT:

“’Counting My Blessings’ is a visual documentation of my spiritual journey as an African-American male and how I overcame personal obstacles to become a successful member of society. My collages and oil paintings are a testimony of how God intervened and guided me to success, despite my neighborhood and home environments. I was born in Southwest Philadelphia and I lived the Bartram Village Housing Projects for several years as a child. My biological father abandoned my mother and sister and I. I lacked a positive male role model in the early years. I was exposed to drugs and violence. As a result, my future seemed bleak. However, my story took a different turn than that of my childhood friends in the neighborhood. Some of my childhood friends have been incarcerated, some have dropped out of high school and others are addicted to drugs.

I believe I survived my harsh environment and became a father, a successful artist, and an art teacher with the intervention of God. My paintings and collages represent the good, the bad, and misrepresented. My images are comprised of family history and determination, fatherhood, spiritual connection, and pursuit of the American Dream. I believe that God guided me through social obstacles and made me stronger despite my lack of resources. I want the viewer to understand that God can change lives despite our histories.” ~ Chad Cortez Everett

Chad Cortez EverettChad Cortez Everett is a professional artist, art educator, motivational speaker, and media artist. His art work has been exhibited in galleries, craft fairs, cultural events, and important private collections throughout Northeast USA. Chad paints in a narrative style, creating expressive and awe-striking artwork. A highly awarded artist, he won first place in the 2010 Art Regional Exhibition at the Center for Creative Arts in Delaware and was named the 2011 Visual Artist of the Year by The African American Coalition of Reading, PA.

Chad was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He attended high school at Overbrook High School and Pennsylvania Governor’s School of Excellence for Visual and Performing Arts. He received his BFA in Painting and certification in Arts Education from Temple University, Tyler School of Art. He earned his MFA from Maryland Institute, College of Art (MICA) where he attended the famous The Hoffeberger School of Painting and worked with Grace Hartigan, a famous American expressionist painter.

Chad has been employed by The Colonial School District for seventeen years. He is an art teacher and mentor at McCullough Middle School. Chad was named Teacher of the Year in 2008 in recognition of his exceptional dedication to education and service. He continues to create and exhibit his works throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. To learn more about Chad and his work, please visit: www.chadceverettart.com.

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