MARIE E. CALLOWAY

April 10, 1920 - February 11, 2018

Marie was an exceptional human being, a pioneer, a gifted artist, a humanitarian, a teacher, and a visionary. She enhanced the lives of her family and community with her wide-reaching love, creativity, determination and intelligence. She modeled a multi-faceted life, making profound contributions to society, all the while, embodying an everlasting beauty, grace and flair.

Marie was born April 10, 1920, in Pimlico, Maryland. Her mother, Marie Edwards, was a teacher and seamstress. Her father, Sidney Edwards, was a Baptist preacher, tailor and inventor. Marie was the youngest of four, and her siblings were Anita, Sidney Jr. and Alpheus. She inherited a strong sense of mother wit, ingenuity and a belief in the value of education, all of which serve as driving forces throughout her life.

Marie spent her early years in Baltimore, Maryland. Her second grade teacher, Norma Africa Marshall, was mother of Thurgood Marshall. Marie graduated from Douglass High School and Coppin Teachers College and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Morgan State College.

She utilized her teacher training to the fullest, becoming an exceptional teacher in various capacities. She taught in the Baltimore School District for several years as an elementary teacher.In 1939, she married Arthur Leon Johnson Jr, M.D. and had two children, April and Arthur. In 1953, she and her family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where her husband was stationed in the Air Force. A year later, the family moved to San Jose, California. This move was especially trailblazing in light of segregation at that time. Several family members and friends followed and joined them in San Jose.

Marie was a courageous pioneer and revolutionary, playing a significant role in the civil rights movement through her art and participation on the frontlines. She was the first African American to teach in the San Jose Unified School district. She served as president of the San Jose, CA branch of the NAACP. She joined the Selma March with her husband and was jailed along with 360 other civil rights activists. She served on numerous civic and human relations advisory committees, working to confront racial injustice and create positive social change.

Marie was an accomplished visual artist, best known for her painting, mixed media assemblages and installations. Her art grew out of her resourcefulness and reflected the diverse facets of her own life and vision. She explored various mediums and techniques, creating representational, impressionistic and abstract art forms. She was moved by the inherent beauty of nature and rendered lyrical landscapes. As a Black artist and activist, she felt it important to express the many dimensions of the Black Experience. She developed a signature style, integrating found objects, personal items, clothing, paint and wood to depict the textured lives and stories of her subjects, shedding light on their history, beauty, strength, intelligence, pain, love and hope. She challenged the skewed lens of racism, portraying the humanity and dignity of African Americans and giving voice to the Black narrative. Her art often embodied the synthesis of the spiritual and physical worlds, She believed that her art could not be separated from her experience, and she made an effort to “relate the personal with universal concerns.”

Marie received a Master of Arts Degree in painting from San Jose State University, an Experienced Teacher Fellowship from Stanford University, and a Doctoral Equivalency from San Francisco State University. She was a professor of art at San Jose State University, California College of Arts and Crafts and San Francisco State University.

Marie held her first art show in Fairbanks, Alaska and went on to exhibit extensively throughout her career.Her works have been shown in numerous galleries and museums, including MoAD, Triton Museum, Bedford Gallery, Hammer Museum, and Howard University. She received much acclaim for her solo installations, “Hope Street”, displayed at the Oakland Museum, and “Mama’s Room”, presented at Morgan State University. Many of her works are part of permanent museum and private collections. She was well recognized for her artistic and activist contributions and frequently lectured on art and socio-political issues. She received awards from the National Women’s Caucus for the Arts, Oakland Museum, Florsheim Art Foundation, and San Francisco Arts Commission. Her works have appeared in numerous publications.

Marie married her second husband, Charles Calloway, M.D., in 1979, and they enjoyed a long and loving companionship of 32 years, residing in Oakland, CA. They shared a mutual respect and had fun together. They were active members of the Church by the Side of Road. They frequented the golf course. They shared many hours playing Scrabble, and Marie, equipped with her exceptional command of vocabulary, was virtually unbeatable. They traveled abroad extensively and vacationed with close friends.

Marie cherished friends and family. She kept close bonds with childhood friends throughout her life and was a long standing member of the Smart Set and Lunch Bunch clubs. Holiday celebrations and family gatherings were complete with love, joy and entertainment. Marie was the hostess with the mostess. She was especially fond of the performing arts, and as part of a family tradition, her living room served as a stage for impromptu musical, dance and theatrical performances in which all of the generations participated and shared in creative expression and unbridled laughter. Marie and her sister, Anita, often set the stage with witty homespun comedic skits that left everyone in stitches. Friends and family alike were encouraged to share their talents. Everyone was welcomed and loved.

Marie has blessed her family and community with a rich legacy of artistic expression, political activism, and teaching. She has demonstrated the value of strong family and friendship bonds. She has modeled courage, integrity, and a passion for living in her every step, serving as a way-bearer and an inspiration to us all.

Marie was predeceased in death by her husband, Charles Calloway, M.D. She is survived by her daughter, April Watkins; son, Arthur L. Johnson III (Frances); step-daughters, Pam and Karen Calloway; step-son, Chuck Calloway, Jr.; granddaughters, Heather Watkins (Tony Ramirez), Jasmine Williams (Gerald), Simone Johnson (Richard McNish) and Alyssa Johnson; nephews, Sidney Edwards Jr. and Bruce Posey (Dana); niece, Karen Bratt; grandnieces, Erica Edwards and Alexa Posey; grandnephew, Reese Posey; and great granddaughter, Gia McNish.