The Story

"The Celebratory Climb" by Timothy Rainer is a portrayal of community life: schools, churches, and neighborhoods of the African American community, prior to the 1930 race riot or afterward as the community slowly rebuilt from the devastation.

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Sherman’s African American community in the early 20th century included a public school (Fred Douglass School), several churches, the businesses in and around the Andrews Building (see Theme I); homes and neighborhoods. Some members of the community worked in the downtown Sherman hotels. Others worked for the railroad that ran through Sherman, or as teachers at Fred Douglass School, or were employed in the Black business district.

The Interview with retired schoolteacher William Hill contains a few details of neighborhood life, which seemed peaceful and stable prior to 1930. Though the relative prosperity seen before the 1930 riot was never regained, Sherman’s race relations improved in later decades and the smooth integration of Sherman schools in the 1960s became a model for many other communities, according to local families and leaders who were involved.

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About the Artist and Art

Timothy Rainer is a working artist and digital marketing strategist in Sherman.  He also started and manages an artist collective, Living Grey Collective.

 

This piece, which was painted using acrylics on canvas, Timothy describes it:

This is a metaphorical representation of the African American community, depicting individuals heading to church or a community gathering. A cheerful and positive mood is created by the use of pastel colors and the stairs symbolize growth, prosperity, and overcoming obstacles.
 

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