Pablo Davis - Artist, Humanist, and Community Activist.

LA VIDA CONTINUAR: November 4, 2007

*  Wow - it's been a busy year! Pablo worked hard to complete his book, "The Sixth Layer, My Account of Working With Diego Rivera on his Masterpiece, the "Detroit Industry" Mural".  A celebration of this accomplishment, sponsored by the Interdisciplinary Studies Dept. of Wayne State University, was held on Sept. 15th, 2007 on the rooftop terrace of the Park Shelton.  More details and photos may be found on the "About Pablo" page of this website. Copies of the book and its accompanying DVD were donated and are freely accessibly to the public at the Detroit Public Library, The Wayne State Library, Cranbrook Library, the College for Creative Studies Library, the Oakland University Library and the University of Michigan Library.

*  Pablo enjoyed speaking to employees at Border's corporate headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI,  on September 26, 2007, by the invitation of the Enlace Latino EAG, headed by Ernesto Martinez (Director of the Spanish Books Division). It was an invigorating day of lively discussion, warm interaction and delicious Mexican cuisine!

* Another outstanding speaking event took place at Eastern Michigan University on October 4th.  The Madonna University documentary on Pablo was shown and Pablo spoke afterwards to students and faculty about art, Mexican-U.S. history and several other subjects. The students' questions delved into deep subjects and provoked a thoroughly fascinating discussion.  Thanks to Dr. K Woodiel for her excellent coordination of that event.

*  Another exciting speaking invitation took Pablo to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on October 12th where he spoke about Diego Rivera, activism and art.  The students actually kept him talking about topics too numerous to list from Oct. 11th until a few hours before he had to leave on Oct. 13th!

THE FOLLOWING NOTES ARE FROM 2006

* Barring a snowstorm that might make it too difficult for reindeer to fly to the Scarab Club this Saturday, December 2,  Santa (the one that resembles Pablo!) will be available between 5-8 p.m. to chat with children about their holiday wishes and to share some drawing tips!  "Lightweight" adults are welcome too :)  The event is part of the City of Detroit's "Noel Night." The Scarab Club is located at 217 Farnsworth. For directions, visit the club's website at: www.scarabclub.org -HO, HO, HO!!!!

* After so many years (10?), the Madonna University/Wayne State University film biography on Pablo's life is finally being premiered!  See what fascinating things Pablo has accomplished and experienced in his 90 years, at Kresge Auditorium on the campus of Madonna University at I-96 and Schoolcraft in Livonia, at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 15th.

*If you can't get to Madonna University, you can certainly tune in to Emery King's series "World Class Detroiters" on Saturday, December 16, on WDIV-Channel 4!  Emery will air his own, unique, perspective on Pablo, who he has known for many years and has frequently seen in action within the Detroit community.  Pablo has enormous respect for Emery's journalistic skills and integrity, and is looking forward to what is sure to be an excellent video profile.

*Pablo is thankful to his doctors and nurses at Crittenton Hospital who helped him through a frightening episode of severe bleeding last weekend.  After a colonoscopy it was determined that he has diverticulosis. Although the bleeding had stopped by the time of the exam, it was the probable source of his hemorrage.  While he is recovering and his blood count is improving, he has been immensely enjoying a biography of Joe Hill. By the way, Pablo would like to remind everyone of  the lesson he has relearned - DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF FIBER IN YOUR DIET! [Update: Pablo is doing very well as of Nov. 30th. He has gotten the "all-clear" from his gastroenterologist and has even gone back to his exercise routine at the YMCA!]

*The moving book, 'Exiliana,' by Mariela Griffor has just been published by Luna Publications with a beautiful cover drawing by Pablo.  He is deeply impressed with Mariela's poetry (he calls her the new Neruda!) and feels honored to be involved with this book.  See the end of the "Artwork" page on this website for a peek at Mariela's book and Pablo's cover art.

* Check out Model D, a Detroit-based e-magazine in late December for an interview Pablo gave to Kelli Kavanaugh on the incredible journey, from idea to opening day, of the Pablo Davis Elder Living Center.  www.modeldmedia.com/features/davis73.aspx

* Pablo was very grateful to have recently been given an honor from the Wayne County Council for Arts, History and Humanities.  He was given the "International Artist Award" by this organization on Wednesday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m., at the historic Trenton Theater. Pablo sends his warmest congratulations to the other nine honorees whose contributions were celebrated on the same evening.  See the "Photos" page on this website for pictures and text from Pablo's presentation!

*[Written on May 1st, 2006]  The real, original, Labor Day is May 1. May 1 is celebrated  by millions of working people in countries around the world to commemorate the brave struggle by workers in Chicago who began a strike on that day in 1886 to shorten their work days from 14 hours to 8 hours a day.  The working people of the United States have been diverted from recognizing the true meaning of this important day- which celebrated the martyrdom of seven of these courageous Chicago labor leaders by public hanging in Chicago's Haymarket Square.  The capitalists of this country got the American Congress to change the date to "buy off"/distract America's working people from this watershed labor event and its significance, by giving them a three day, paid, weekend holiday, while the rest of the world continues to honor and remember our Chicago labor martyrs on May 1st. 
[See the "Artwork" page for a drawing of a scene Pablo captured of the Detroit News Strike in the section entitled, "Political Artwork"]
 
*I woke to the news that Maryann Mahaffey passed away last night.  I've known and worked with her since the 50's.  Why did Maryann receive the highest numbers of votes in election after election?  Why will she be missed so much?
When she hugged you (and she hugged everyone!), you knew she loved you.  Her love for humanity was incredibly strong.  That's the reason I love her husband, Hy; he graciously shared her powerful love.  Hy is an example of manhood on the highest level - always working side by side with Maryann without resenting the spotlight that was unceasingly shining on her.
Maryann was incorruptible. She lived her whole life in modest surrroundings.  She undoubtedly had many offers that would have brought her great  wealth and fame, but she was never "bought off."   And she never abandoned the causes she believed in, like fair pay and good working conditions for workers.  She was a deeply principled person and a profoundly trusted leader.  You could believe everything she said.  She was the bravest of the brave. Maryanne was always there FOR THE PEOPLE.
Goodbye, my friend.

*When Pablo woke up on July 5th, 2006, the first thing he said was, "I made it!"  Made it he did, to his 90th birthday!  He had a beautiful family celebration on the shore of his favorite lake in the glow of a perfect summer day.  Here's to 20 or 30 more such celebrations!

* A very exciting film project is progressing, which documents Pablo's account of what it was like to work with Diego Rivera in creating the great "Detroit Industry" mural at the Detroit Institute of Art.  The filming is complete and funds are being raised to finish the editing.  Please see the special link on the left-hand side of this home page entitled,"Rivera Mural Project" for all the details and some great photos.

* A preview of the documentary on Pablo's life, art, and activism by WSU and Madonna University was shown at the Campbell Branch Library in Southwest Detroit on Wednesday, June 21, at 6 p.m.  Pablo was there to discuss the section of the film that details his experience painting the portrait of Michigan Gov. John Swainson that hangs in the Capitol Rotunda in Lansing.

* Speaking of Lansing, Pablo was given the honor of a special introduction to the House of Representatives on May 24, 2006.  He received a standing ovation from every state representative on BOTH sides of the aisle!  What a fitting tribute to Pablo, who has worked for the benefit of every community he has been a part of for the last 70-80 years.  Pablo wishes to acknowledge his deepest appreciation and respect for Representative Tobocman. !!!Click on the "photos" page to see images of this magnificent day!!!

* Santa visited the Scarab Club on December 3rd and he had a striking similarity to Pablo.  See for yourself on the "photos" page of this website.

* Pablo's poetry reading was a wonderful contribution to an evening of poetry and dance at the Grosse Pointe Artists' Association on November 11, 2005.  His poem about Martin Luther King may be found on the "web-journal" page of this website.

* Pablo and five other artists he's gathered, have created a mural for Troy Beaumont Hospital.  Photos and a press release have been posted to the "photos" page of this website.  It is an exciting work of collaborative art!

* Pablo's book of art is also on the way! You may indicate your interest in pre-ordering this beautiful, cloth-bound, coffee table-sized book by sending your e-mail address or phone number through the contact page of this website.

*This website is always expanding with more of Pablo's thoughts in journal form, and new images of his artwork, many of which are available as fine art prints.

Keep visiting,

Jean

This website layout is coded and designed by Thomas Wharton.