The Gallery is opened 24/7, no lines, no waiting. You can get up close and personal, or sit, relax and view the works. On exhibit will be digital reproductions of drawings, paintings, photography, & sculptures.
As a youngster, Lionel always excelled in art. He was fascinated by the scenic paintings and drawings by local Barbadian artist. Viewing paintings by the European masters was also a delight, but African art and symbolism was closet to his soul. Bright colors, contrast, symbolism and social statements would begin to dominate his work.
While living in Barbados, his sister's friend, showed him how to draw cartoon faces. He developed his skills and began doing portraits which today, includes the Portraits of The late Prime Minister Tom Adams and his father Sir Grantley Adams, and The late Prime Minister Errol Barrow of Barbados, which are on permanent display at the Public library in St. Michael, Barbados.
As a teenager Lionel moved to Hartford, Connecticut with his family and there he entered and won the Community Renewal Team Youth Art Renaissance four years straight. His work was included in shows at the Joseloff Gallery at the University of Hartford and The Craftery Gallery, where he had the opportunity to exhibit with internationally known artist, Nelson Stevens, Reginald Jackson, Benny Andrews and Ed Towles. He has also exhibited in shows which included works by well known artists Stan Cromwell and Carlos Hernandez Chavez. According to Lionel, it was his family along with Jonathan Bruce, who was the Director for the Craftery Gallery at the time, who believed in his work and talent and encouraged him to keep working.
He was privillaged to have a one man show in Queen's Park, Barbados in 1978, as a part of the BSU, a student cultural program, which brought artists, musicians and dancers from the USA to the island.
As a photographer, he has photographed local, national and international recording artist including Doug Wimbish, Living Colour, Jaeme Brennan and Parliament/Funkadelic.
Lionel has also designed cover art and logos for businesses in the Hartford area including Bajan Records, Sounds of Connecticut Records, Barbados American Society of Hartford, The West Indian Social Club, Bi-Sarge Publishing, and exotic Blooms.
I think people, in general, are always trying to look to find a complicated answer, but it really isn't that complex. As a baby I crawled, then one day I decided to get up and walk, and the more I walked, I became better at it. For me, creating art was the same way.
- L Crawford
