AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART - SCULPTURE - CALLIGRAPHY - STORYTELLING - POETRY 
Sharon Towana Austin was born on July 4,1952, and raised in Newark, New Jersey. Sharon is the wife of Wayne L. Worth and the mother of Shavonne T. Barksdale and Artie Barksdale (an artist in his own right - and a chip off the old block). Painter, calligrapher, sculptor, poet, playwright, and storyteller, Sharon attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, whose alumnae include the divine Ms. Sarah Vaughn, Ms. Melba Moore, and a host of other nationally known artists. There she studied watercolor technique, charcoal, and textile design, with an emphasis on African culture. “My Father, Eugene L. Austin, also an artist, encouraged my sisters and I to draw pictures very early in life. Rainy days would find us around the kitchen table with pen and pad in hand. My Mother, Gracy B. Austin, was a most fascinating storyteller, and encouraged her children to look at life with a sense of humor. It is obvious I have inherited my talents. My sister Jeani (also an artist) gave me my first painting instructions. It was a very tragic time in my life and it was the very therapy I needed. Thanks Jeani. When I am sharing a story or writing a play, my intent is to paint a picture with words. Come...listen...let me inspire, encourage, and ignite your imagination!" Sharon moved her family to Mebane, North Carolina in 1988. Sharon enhanced her self-taught calligraphic skills thru Durham Technical College. She studied acrylic painting at Alamance Community College. Sharon creates images using acrylic paints, watercolor paints, 3-D figures, and mixed media. She also designs street signs and greeting cards. Many of her images may be found painted on wood (her favorite surface). Her calligraphic skills are used for poetic verse, place cards, wedding invitation envelopes and banners. Sharon also designs business cards and logos. Face Painting at Festivals, street fairs, and Birthday parties is one of her favorite pastimes North Carolina Museum of Art (Sponsored by North Carolina Central University) National Black Fine Art Show - Soho, New York Burlington Artist League Gallery “Honorable Mention Awarded” Mebane Public Library, Mebane, NC - Solo Exhibit Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC Apple Chill Street Fair, Chapel Hill, NC Centerfest, Durham, NC Surroundings Art Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC - Featured Artist of the Month North Carolina State Capital Building - Offices of Senators Ellie Kinnard and Howard Lee Bradiggins Arts and Crafts Gallery, Hillsborough, NC - Featured Artist of the Month Artful Greetings Gallery, Durham, NC - Featured Artist of the Month Orange County Museum, Hillsborough, NC - Solo Exhibit Orange County Library, Hillsborough, NC - Solo Exhibit Hayti Cultural Heritage Center, Durham, NC - Featured Artist of the Month Charlotte Hawkins Brown - State Historical Site, Sedalia, NC - Solo Exhibit Shepherd Magnet Schools - Durham, NC - Career Day Exhibit Today’s Woman Organization-Durham, NC - Solo Exhibit First Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, NC University Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, NC Greater Canaan Baptist Church, Mebane, NC - Woman’s Conference McDougal Middle School, Carrboro, NC Britthaven Nursing Home, Chapel Hill, NC NAACP Black History Month Celebration- Hillsborough, NC Friends of Carolina Schools, Durham and Chapel Hill, NC “Homegirls” - A play Sharon wrote, produced, and directed in 1993, which is performed through the State of North Carolina. Poetic Recitations are graphically portrayed by (4) African American Women - Carolyn Bragg-Jefferson of Chapel Hill, NC, Molly Hargraves of Carrboro, NC, Doretha Mason of Chapel Hill, NC and Sharon. Burlington Artists League Gallery - “Honorable Mention”- Fine Art Competition Show Editors Choice Award - Internal Library of Poetry “Outstanding Achievement in Poetry Award” 2000 Today’s Woman Organization - “Looking Forward, Moving Toward Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship Award”1988 Mayflower Seafood Restaurant - Hwy 15-501 (South Square Mall Area) by Artie Barksdale and Sharon Barksdale-Worth - Durham, NC Knotts Funeral Home - “Fly Away Home” - Chapel Hill, NC “The Children’s Mural” which included 5 professional arts and 100 school age children - Located in Heritage Square at Winn Dixie Supermarket - Durham, NC Bradiggins Arts and Crafts Gallery- Hillsborough, NC Seeds of Sheeba Cultural Art Center - Chapel Hill, NC Kwanzaa Celebration 1998 poster - Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble Voices of Efland-Cheeks - Poster and T-shirt Design - Efland, NC The Furniture Doctor - Carrboro, NC Yearly Anniversary Banner - First Baptist Church - Chapel Hill, NC 1996-2001 NBC - Carolina Chronicles with Natalie Christian 1999 Public Access - “Artists in Action with Constance Gary 1998 Public Access - “Artists in Action II with Constance Gary 1997 WCHL Radio - Chapel Hill, NC 1995 The Chapel Hill News - February 2001 Durham/Chapel Hill Herald - May 2000 Durham/Chapel Hill Herald - February 1999 Chapel Hill Herald - February 1998 Mebane Enterprise - March 1996 Mebane Enterprise - November 1995 Mebane Enterprise - July 1995 Burlington Times News - February 1994 
P.O.BOX 943, MEBANE, NC 27302 - PH: (919) 563-1774 - E-MAIL: SISTAHSHAY@MSN.COM |