Collect Day #27 MEL BOLDEN
O God whose grace knows no boundaries we remember today, your servant, Melvin Reid Bolden who knew threw art, journalism and political action how to do some “shakin”; may we use our gifts to honor our heroes, lift up our communities and take actions that benefit all for the greater good; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DAY #27, April 5, 2019
LOUDON & CONCORD, NH
MEL BOLDEN (1919-2000)
Cathy Wolff
Melvin Reid Bolden, a widely respected freelance illustrator and painter, came to New Hampshire in the late 1950s, after working in New York City for more than a decade. He was born in Baltimore, the son of a pressman for Black newspapers; attended the Philadelphia College of Art; and eventually became known as the dean of African-American illustrators.
Besides his art, he was active in politics, serving as the first Black Democratic Party county chairman. He also was on the state’s Commission for Human Rights.
His art work included a mural of Christa McAuliffe, the New Hampshire teacher-astronaut who died in the Challenger explosion in 1986; a Christmas card for President Carter; campaign posters for former New Hampshire Gov. Hugh Gallen; redesign of the Concord Monitor; a whimsical guide to the presidential primary; and many portraits and magazine illustrations.
A Concord fireman recalls how, one day in 1976, the entire firehouse was told to suit up and go outside where Bolden supplied them all with cans of shaving cream and told them to cover themselves with it. He then had them pull out fire hoses and began shooting photos he needed for a series of cover illustrations he was doing of firefighters in the snow.
Bolden was well-known in Concord, often visiting the police and fire departments, and the newsrooms of the Concord Monitor and Associated Press just to chat. His usual greeting was “What’s shakin’?” although, more often than not, he was the one providing a good political tip or insight.
When his historic Loudon home – a stop on the Underground Railroad – burned down in 1986, an auction was organized that raised more than $10,000.
