“Ethiopia” by Louise Cutler
The Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) and Colorado artist Louise Cutler and joined forces during Black History Month to honor the legacy of pioneering Black American composer Florence Price with an original art work entitled “Ethiopia.” Cutler’s 36”x36” oil-on-canvas painting is being auctioned to support the Symphony’s “Open Notes” Program, a community outreach initiative that brings the transformative power of music to underserved members of its community. The auction ends on February 16, 2024. To view and bid on this work, visit FCSymphony.org/PricePainting.
Inspired by Price’s symphonic composition, Ethiopia’s Shadow in America, Cutler’s painting reflects the physical and emotional journey of enslaved peoples in America and represents their struggle, strength, and resilience.
In 1932, composer Florence Price broke barriers as the first Black woman to have her music performed by a major American orchestra. But she and her music were largely forgotten until 2009 when a collection of her unpublished manuscripts was rediscovered.
On February 3, 2024, 92 years after its composition, the Fort Collins Symphony performed the Colorado premiere of Ethiopia’s Shadow in America.
“Florence’s passion for music and the creation of it was truly remarkable, especially in the face of racial discrimination, hatred, political, and creative restraints,” Cutler said. “As an artist, a woman, and a Black American, I could relate to her struggles.”
Louise Cutler’s work has been celebrated in numerous publications and exhibitions, from Beyond Words Magazine to the Royal Academy of Arts in London. She brings a deeply personal and reflective perspective to “Ethiopia,” saying “I was drawn into her life, imagining what it must have been like to possess such incredible talent, creativity, and passion for music and yet be unable to fully showcase it to the world.”
The auction for “Ethiopia” concludes on Friday, February 16th, 2024. For more details and to participate, visit FCSymphony.org/PricePainting.
For More Information, please contact Jeremy D. Cuebas, Marketing and Communications Director, at 970.482.4823 or via email at Marketing@FCSymphony.org.