As the Adkin High School Class of 1963 comes together throughout the weekend for laughter, catching up and moments of nostalgia, they can also take knowledge in giving one of their own the inspiration for a beautiful piece of artwork.
On Friday, Queen Bessie Shamala Davis-Sykes donated a painting to the Kinston Arts Center to commemorate the 50-year reunion of the last graduating class of Adkin High School.
“I wanted to give something back to Kinston,” Davis-Sykes said. “Kinston has given me so much support and education throughout the years. I love helping and art is something the spirits have given to me.”
The painting, entitled, “Moon River,” was inspired by a class song to the tune of the Henry Mancini track of the same name.
Edwin Jones, a board member on the Community of the Arts Council and classmate of Davis-Sykes, stressed the importance of the painting as a dedication to Adkin High.
“Four members of our class — Edward Butler, Harold Coleman, Agnes Houston and Peggy Patrick — created the song,” Jones said. “Little did we know that 50 years later it would be the inspiration to our classmate to create this painting. It’s special because it keeps the last class of the original Adkin High in memory. We are all very proud.”
Sandy Landis, executive director of the Arts Council, was glad to have Davis-Sykes donate the painting.
“We’re thrilled to have this donation to our permanent collection,” Landis said. “It’s always significant when a local artist interprets important parts of their life in Kinston, then gives back to the community.”
Adkin High was considered a safe haven to Davis-Sykes during the days of segregation in the 60s.
“I loved school, the connections I made there and my friends,” Davis-Sykes said. “Education for me was a way to escape race and poverty issues I dealt with then. I’m so glad to be a part of Adkin and my roots run very deep.”
Davis-Sykes’ brother, Johnny Davis, said his sister had always been a very studious and helpful person.
“When we ate meals, she would always have a book in her hand,” Davis said. “When I used to have dilemmas and predicaments, I would go to my sister. One thing she said that has always stuck with me was ‘some of the most complex questions have the simplest of solutions.’”
In 1964, Adkin Senior High was created and members of the school — including Davis, who was in the first graduating class — were sent there. Within the decade, Adkin was torn down, which shocked Davis-Sykes, who had moved to Los Angeles and was working on her degree in psychology at the University of Southern California.
“When we graduated, we had no idea the school would be desegregated, and later, demolished,” Davis-Sykes said. “I came back to Kinston five or six years later and (the construction workers) were tearing down the front. I got out of my car and took a brick from the building.”
Davis-Sykes didn’t start painting until 1998, after she felt spirits encouraging her to paint after a session of meditation. Davis remembers the vision she had.
“She told me she was visited by the master painters, who spoke to her,” Davis said. “She said Picasso, Van Gogh and Rembrandt all spoke to her and told her to paint.”
Davis-Sykes, who had been working as a high school counselor in Los Angeles, started painting for months after the dream. After work, she would head straight to the canvas, painting until almost 4 a.m. some nights.
Still, Davis-Sykes didn’t have the confidence to consider herself an artist until she went to an art show six months later.
“My daughter had hung a few of my paintings at the restaurant she worked at, but I didn’t think I was good enough until I went to that art show,” Davis-Sykes said. “I looked at some of the paintings and it made me think ‘maybe I can do this.’”
Davis-Sykes now has an art studio in Highland Park, Calif., and has become a renowned artist. Ever the helpful person, she always gives people advice when it comes to fulfilling their aspirations.
“You have to focus and make it happen,” Davis-Sykes said. “This is how I have been able to make my dream a reality.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.
Adkin High School 1963 Reunion Events
Today: 6-10 p.m., 50th reunion program and celebration
Today’s event will be held at the Adkin High School Complex Faculty Room
Sunday: 10:45 a.m., class gathering and worship
12:45 p.m., class meeting
1:30 p.m. fellowship dinner
Sunday’s events will be held at Emmanuel Hill Memorial Free Will Baptist Church