For Immediate Release:
Mayor Terence Roberts and the Anderson City Council announce the thirteenth annual “Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast” to be held on Friday, January 17th at 8 AM at the Civic Center of Anderson.
This year’s theme is: “Through the Lens of Art, Culture & Education…Visions of MLK.” The keynote speaker is artist Dr. Leo Twiggs and the Claflin University Concert Choir will present a special musical program.
“Once again we are proud to invite everyone to join us at this annual event honoring the legacy of Dr. King,” Mayor Terence Roberts said. “We will be inspired by the creative reflections of Dr. Leo Twiggs and treated to musical selections from the Claflin choir. As always, it’s a special time for our community to come together.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Leo Franklin Twiggs is an American painter, born in St. Stephen, South Carolina. He developed the Fine Art Department at South Carolina State University, where he taught from 1973 until 1998. Twiggs received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Claflin University in 1956 and his Master of Arts Degree from New York University in 1964. In 1970, Twiggs became the first African American student to receive a Doctorate of Arts from the University of Georgia. He has presented more than fifty-one man shows during his career. Twiggs’ paintings are done in a variation of the batik process which he began experimenting within 1964. This process of painting allows him to create the illusion of subtle textures.
“All of my works have deep roots in my experiences growing up in the South but my intent, as always, is to explore the human condition,” Dr. Twiggs said. “It is this exploration, I believe, that makes art endearing and enduring.” His chosen subject matter has included the iconography of the American Civil War and deals with the role of relics, images, and icons in the culture of the South Eastern United States.
The Claflin University Concert Choir is composed of 52 members and its legacy of excellence includes a myriad of performances at on-campus activities, community events, and an annual Spring Tour. The Concert Choir participated in a Choral Tribute to open the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. While the nucleus of the choir is music majors, it is open to all students with a variety of majors, and they all serve as official ambassadors for the University. Nestled in the sandhills of the South Carolina midlands, Claflin University has a tradition of excellence through the music.
The presenting sponsor is the City of Anderson and this year’s Dream Sponsor is Anderson University with additional support from Duke Energy and AnMed.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7:45 AM, breakfast will be served at 8:15 AM. The Civic Center is located at 3027 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Anderson, SC.
Please make reservations by calling 864-231-1135 or email bbell@cityofandersonsc.com.
