 |
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||
COMING UP // Forefront with Kadir Nelson
Kadir started drawing at the age of three. Both of his parents were artistic and his uncle was an artist. As a young boy, Kadir spent several summers with his uncle, who gave him a strong foundation in art. Kadir earned a scholarship to Pratt Institute and, not wanting to become a “starving artist,” he majored in Architecture. After one semester he changed his major, realizing that art was his true love. He graduated with a degree in Illustrations in 1996. Shortly after graduating, he was hired by DreamWorks Pictures as the conceptual artist for the feature film “Amistad,” directed by Steven Spielberg. He also landed multiple jobs for Sports Illustrated. Kadir has done work for such high-profile clients as Coca-Cola and Nike and has also illustrated nearly twenty children’s books.
Kadir Nelson is an artist with a passion to create powerful images that educate and inspire and remind us of our human beauty. Forefront with the Kadir Nelson will run: |
Originally Aired 07-07-06 // Forefront with John Malashock  John Malashock has played a major role in making San Diego’s arts community what it is today. The Artistic Director and founder of Malashock Dance has choreographed more than 60 original works for stage and film and has put San Diego on the map in the dance world. John Malashock was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His family moved a lot and, being shy, he had a difficult time fitting in until he found theater at La Jolla High School. After graduating in 1972, he attended the University of Colorado and initially pursued a degree in science. He soon discovered he was spending most of his time in the arts and changed his major. He took a dance class to become more comfortable moving on stage, and found his passion. He transferred the following year to Southern Methodist University because they had a strong theater and dance program. He graduated in 1975 with a Bachelors Degree in dance.  He started performing and doing choreography with Utah Repertory Dance Theater. In 1977, he accepted an offer to join Ballet Blaska in Paris. After spending a year in Europe, Malashock realized he needed to be in New York if he really wanted to see where dance could take him. He auditioned and landed a job with the Twyla Tharp Company. After ten years of heavy-duty performing, Malashock needed a change. In 1984, he decided to take a break from dancing. He and his wife Nina moved back to San Diego. Eventually, Malashock founded his own company, Malashock Dance. Over the years, Malashock’s company has grown and so has its reputation in modern dance. The company is currently in its 18th season. John Malashock has taken a leadership role in redeveloping the Naval Training Center and its dance center. The building will include studios and performance space for the entire San Diego dance community. The new facility is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2006.
|
Kadir Nelson’s paintings are easily recognizable. He’s painted unforgettable images of the Negro Baseball Leagues, as well as dozens of modern sports legends. 
But, he’s most proud of his images of the men of the Negro Leagues. Kadir has created gripping images of players like Willie Foster, Buck O’Neil and Josh Gibson. He has just finished writing and illustrating a tribute book about the Negro Leagues which will hit bookstores in early 2008. © 2006 Cox Communications, Inc.
