On Saturday, February 6, 2021, the 4th Annual Papa-Cause® Day kicked off the city-wide celebration for Black History Month in Gadsden.
In 2017, Papa-Cause® was given a proclamation from Mayor Sherman Guyton proclaiming the first Saturday in February as PAPA-CAUSE® DAY. This year’s theme is: “Christmas Everyday with Jerome & Papa-Cause®, The Friend of Santa Claus. Papa-Cause®’s mission is to inspire children, adults, and teenagers to use their creativity and imagination every day. The character Papa-Cause® was created by Gadsden’s own and internationally acclaimed artist John Solomon Sandridge.
For 2021, Papa-Cause celebrated his day by honoring this year’s senior class by inviting them to participate in a competition of art exhibition, whether it be dance, music, or visual art. Each contestant was also required to give a statement of inspiration along with their submission to provide clarity to their piece
Coming in 3rd place was ReAnna Watson. A senior at Gaston High School. The title of her piece was “Masked Heroes.” “During the pandemic, our health care workers have carried the weight of the world,” ReAnna said. She continued, “The wings have a double meaning, they symbolize how they are truly angels in disguise and represent those who lost their lives fighting the virus.”
Our 2nd place winner was Lauren Holley. A senior at Gaston High School. Her piece was entitled “American Heroes”. “Doctors have been having to work so hard since the pandemic started,” Lauren said. “When I saw the topic was about 2020, I wanted to make a piece symbolizing their work to save people’s lives who have gotten sick.”
The grand prize winner was Emi Swinford. A senior at Gadsden City High School. The title of her creation was “Caged in the News.” “As an Asian American this COVID thing has really been hard,” Emi said. She continued, “I felt caged to my house with only the media to constantly remind me of my problems. So, I expressed my feelings in the only way I knew how through ART. This piece speaks of my feelings as I use it to cope and inspire others through these tough times.”
The Papa-Cause® Blue Team would like to thank Mayor Sherman Guyton, the Gadsden City Council, Jerome Gunn of Christmas Everyday, LLC, Kay Moore of Downtown Action Inc., Ray Wetzel, director of the Gadsden Museum of Art, Tom Banks, director of the Mary G. Hardin Center for the Arts, Richard White, Chamberlain Parker, and all the parents of the graduating seniors of 2021 for a successful kick-off of Black History Month with Papa-Cause®, the Friend of Santa Claus. If you would like to spread the joy of Christmas year-round to our children, teenagers, and community, please give donations at www.papacause.com.