Artist, Philip Smallwood, pictured in front of his New Milford, NJ home.

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- P. Smallwood Art proudly announces the Theodora Smiley Lacey Portrait Tour. This initiative, aligning with Black History Month's 2024 theme 'African Americans and the Arts', celebrates the life and legacy of Mrs. Lacey, an advocate for education, equity, and racial justice. Philip Smallwood has captured Mrs. Lacey's essence in a portrait slated to go on national tour.

The public is invited to join this inaugural unveiling which will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 3:00pm to 5:30pm in Wilson Auditorium, Dickinson Hall, Fairleigh Dickinson University Hackensack Metro Campus, 140 University Plaza Drive, Hackensack, New Jersey.

Presented by P. Smallwood Art, Journalist and WABC reporter, Anthony Johnson will host the event. There will be a panel discussion on the relationship between community activism, the impactful role of art in societal narratives, and the profound historical perspectives that shape our understanding of figures like Mrs. Lacey.

Confirmed panelists: Newark Arts Executive Director, Lauren LeBeaux, esteemed Activist and Professor at Seton Hall University, Rev. Dr. Forrest M. Pritchett, Teaneck International Film Festival Founder & Director of Special Projects at The Puffin Foundation, Ltd., Jeremy Lentz and Co-Director of the Romare Bearden Foundation, Johanne Bryant Reid.

The tour aims to raise awareness and foster support for community partnerships that complement Mrs. Lacey’s remarkable legacy. From experiencing segregation in Montgomery, Alabama to working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, Mrs. Lacey has played a pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the advancement of voter rights. Showcasing the portrait across various venues, including educational institutions, museums, and cultural centers, symbolizes a journey at the intersection of history, art, and social advocacy.

P. Smallwood Art is committed to ensuring Mrs. Lacey’s inspiring story reaches and resonates with diverse audiences, encouraging exploration, learning, and inspiration from her life's journey. Join us as we honor the legacy of Theodora Smiley Lacey and celebrate the enduring impact of art in our communities. For more information about the event and to RSVP, please visit psmallwood.com/events

The life of Theodora Smiley Lacey embodies a tapestry of civil rights activism and educational excellence, spanning four decades.

As co-chair of Bergen county's African-American Advisory Committee and the Bergen County Martin Luther King Jr. Monument Committee, Mrs. Lacey helped bring a life-size bronze statue honoring the legacy of Dr. King to the university’s metropolitan campus in 2014. Her dedication to education includes the successful integration of Teaneck Public Schools in New Jersey. Teaneck residents and the Teaneck Board of Education unanimously voted to name Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School in 2020. Mrs. Lacey's legacy extends to various community services and leadership roles, earning her numerous awards for racial justice, educational excellence, and community service.

(LEFT) Dr. Archie Lacey , Theodora Lacey, their son, A.J. and Dr. King in front of the parsonage in Montgomery, Alabama (RIGHT) Rosa Parks, friend Neotia Gray Smiley and 2 aunts pictured with Theodora Smiley.

P. Smallwood Art is dedicated to the enduring pursuit of the impact of art in the community. Philip Smallwood is a New Jersey-based watercolor artist renowned for the ultra-realistic nature of his paintings. His acclaimed works, referred to as “Lifescapes”, portray subjects within their natural environment, but with an emotive visual narrative. Smallwood powerfully connects the viewer and the subject, not with the casual glance of a stranger, but with the intimacy of a friend. Working exclusively on handmade watercolor paper, he brings a unique texture and depth to his creations. The recipient of many honors and commendations from the most prestigious watercolor societies in the U.S. and abroad, Smallwood has been featured in such noted publications as American Artist, Artist Magazine, Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, and Watercolor, to name a few. Garnering 200+ juried awards, his work is included in several museum permanent collections and private collections.