New Thing Art and Architecture Event

Curator Samir Meghelli moderates a panel discussion on The New Thing Art and Architecture Center, which included founder Topper Carew as well as Tom Zetterstrom, Melvin Deal, Eric Jones and Peter Parham. Many volunteers, employees, and students of the New Thing were in attendance as well. After an introduction of the panel participants by Meghelli, Deal performs an Offer of Libation ceremony, and Carew acknowledges others present at the event. Discussion is preceded by a screening of the introduction to the film New Thing (1970) by Michael Bortman, produced by The New Thing Flick Company, with sound by Grady Watts, Topper Carew, and Herbert Ball, and music by Eric Gravatt. Carew explains that the film was used as marketing for investment in the organization, among other strategies. After general comments about the New Thing and the Adams Morgan neighborhood by the panel and moderator, Carew outlines his background and the origins of the Center, supplemented by input from panelists. The organization's music program is discussed, including the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers organization, and a slide show of the Washington Blues Festival 1970 is presented. Many details regarding the history of the Center are presented, including the political context out of which it was formed, confrontations with the press and local law enforcement, and panelists expand upon their relationships with Carew and involvement in the Center. The microphone is then passed around for attendees to articulate their experiences. These audience members included employees, volunteers, and students, such as: co-director Betty Garman, Vernon, Perry, and Pam Suggs, Rosetta Taylor, Michelle Fauntroy, Robin Walden, David Rector, Percy Martin, Sondra and Rusty Hassan, Diane, Robin, and Colin Carew, Khalil Abdullah (formerly known as JT), Eric Gravatt, Steve Thomas, and Eli Noyes. Carew comments on awards from arts competitions won by New Thing artists, and offers closing comments. He emphasizes that the Center was an organization for children, justice, peace, equality, and excellence. In closing, Carew characterizes the organization as possessing "cultural audacity, creative bodacity, human capacity, political tenacity, and spiritual veracity." Both the audio and video qualities are good.