Point from which creation begins
The Black Artists’ Group of St. Louis

Distributed for Missouri Historical Society Press
344 pages
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30 illus
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6 x 9
Review Quotes
Journal of African American History
“Looker has written a cogent and provocative study of the Black Artists’ Group of St. Louis. . . His synthesis of primary and secondary sources as well as the use of oral interviews and discographies results in a well-researched and lively examination of another aspect of American and African American history. Point from Which Creation Begins is a must read for any student of music and urban history.”
Missouri Historical Review
“Rich and encyclopedic in its discussion of BAG’s members, Looker’s excellent study presents BAG as a collaboration among local black artists, writers, poets, painters, musicians, dancers, and dramatists. Readers are rewarded with elegant portrayals of notable names and places that remain prominent on the contemporary arts landscape.”
Journal of American History
“Looker’s work demonstrates the historical importance of unlocking the various dimensions of the African American past by studying black organizations that made a difference in the life of the community but may be lost to contemporary times. . . This is certainly not a problem today because of Looker’s investigation and vision.”
Choice
“A captivating look at a group of artists working in various disciplines and trying to make sense of a tumultuous time in the history of America. . . Highly recommended.”
AllAboutJazz.com
“The definitive story of the collective. . . . The holistic view Looker adopts in his text is absolutely key to making it work. . . . Most importantly, it provides a template for focused creativity as a tool for social mobilization.”
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