January 2025

Leo Frame

“Generations of Courage: Civil Rights Leaders, Children, and Communities”

Frame’s photography highlights a remarkable time in US history, from 1968 to 1980. In addition, his proximity to groundbreaking figures in education, politics, civil rights and musical worlds offered a chance for up-close encounters with notable figures such as civil rights activists– HueyNewton, Angela Davis, Martin Luther King Sr.–as well as musicians– Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Roberta Flack. Frame’s artistic eye captured candid moments because he was part of the scene. 

Photography by Leo Frame will be on display for the Month of January in the Community Room.

“I didn’t choose the time. The time chose me,” Frame has said about his work. “I just grew up during that time and I accepted that as normal. I was just trying to document it as best I could. I felt an obligation to publish or at least record it. What I experienced in life, these people championed. They were before their time. A lot of them risked their lives.”

Frame attended Fisk University in Nashville TN, where he studied photojournalism under Robert Sengstacke of the Chicago Daily Defender. As a student Frame also started the Third World Bookstore, one of the most prominent Black bookstores in the Nashville area.

In 1985, Frame and his wife Janice moved to West Tisbury on the Vineyard from Atlanta, GA. He worked as a teacher at the high school till his retirement in 2013. 

The show is free and open to the public during library hours. A reception will be held Friday, January 24th 3:00-4:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

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The West Tisbury Library hosts monthly art exhibits in the beautiful Community Program Room. Art exhibits are arranged by the West Tisbury Library Art Committee. If you are interested in scheduling an exhibit, please contact the Art Committee Chair at artwtfpl@gmail.com.

• Please enjoy our Virtual Gallery, digital art shows we held during the Covid19 shutdown: wtlibraryvirtualgallery.org.