Southwest
Community Enrichment Center
Untitled, 2000
Untitled, 2001
Ida
May Sydnor
Raised as an orphan, Ida May Sydnor eventually found refuge
with her sister before being sent to Byberry, a local mental
institution that is now closed. After 15 years there, she simply
walked out the front door and is now living near the SCEC Art
Center. Though Sydnor prefers to work in her own home, she continues
to visit the Art Center throughout the day to receive feedback
on her new work. Many refer to Ida as the "urban shaman"
as she always signs her pieces "Ida May Loves God"
and in her works are often found ancient and magical signs and
symbols. Ida May was one of the first to benefit from the art
classes at the Center and her first drawings were executed in
black marker on small pieces of board. These early works depicted
a barren tree with a bird embedded in the trunk. In her more
recent works, Ida began to add color and to free the bird from
its confines. Sister Helen Brancato, Art Center Director, feels
that the bird represents Ida herself who has been freed though
her art making.
Front
Page
SCEC
History and Mission
Click on artists' name for more
images:
Ruth
Barkley, Mina
Casey
