[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 151 (Thursday, September 19, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7780-H7781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING GLADYS BARKER GRAUER

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor my dear friend, Ms. 
Gladys Barker Grauer, the ``Mother of Newark Arts'' for more than 70 
years, after

[[Page H7781]]

her passing recently at the age of 96. She was one of Newark's most 
dedicated artists and art supporters who leaves a legacy of great 
contributions behind.
  Fifty years ago, she opened the first art gallery in Newark, the Aard 
Studio Gallery. It was a place dedicated to art and encouraging artists 
of color to learn and express their unique talents. Through this 
gallery, Gladys helped inspire and launch the careers of African 
American artists across the city.
  Thanks to Gladys' efforts, the Newark Museum held the first exhibit 
of local artists, called Emerging and Established, in 1983.
  Gladys is one of the founding members of the Newark Arts Council, 
today known as Newark Arts. She even received the 2019 Lifetime 
Achievement Award from the Women's Caucus for Arts.
  Her art has been displayed locally, nationally, and even 
internationally. When in Newark, visitors can see one of Gladys' five 
murals, called Music Unites Us All, on the PSE&G Fairmount Heights Art 
Wall.
  Gladys has been a blessing to our cultural scene and to me personally 
as a great and valued friend and friend of all of her children. Gladys' 
life reminds us of the value of art in society, and she will be sorely 
missed.

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