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Delegate Magazine Salutes
Vera Shorter
1983 Artist of the Year

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Delegate Magazine has chosen Vera Shorter, a viable practitioner of the art of working with and bringing about cooperative action, on our island of Martha's Vineyard as our Artist of the Year for 1983. Mrs. Shorter has worked tirelessly for presenting the works of these fine artists, Constance Koefford, Generve McClane and Texiera Nash to the Island public.

If Art embraces fine arts, performing arts and educational skills then the art of working with and bringing about cooperative action is also an art. The works of three Artists, Constance Kafford, Generve McClane and Texieria Nash to the island public.

She has performed in local stage productions but mainly she has been a catalyst in putting the pieces together to make the whole.

Vera is the Wife of late Rufus Shorter the well remembered Superintendant of Martha's Vineyard Schools.

The Board of Regional High School and the Nathan Mayhew Seminars have named buildings in his honor.

The high school addition that bears his name came about because he convinced the town and board that this expansion was necessary for the education and cultural development of children. His work with the Nathan Mayhew Seminars resulted in the establishment of the first degree program over offered on Martha's Vineyard, and twenty teachers earned their Master of Education Degrees, from the program.

Rufus with Vera at his side worked with and for various community and civic organizations including the Martha's Vinegard Hospital Corporation; they were members of the Board of Community Service and Rufus was Chairman of the Youth Center Committee.

Rufus walked tall and strong and was a vital member of the Martha's Vineyard Community; and where he walks Vera now walks. Vera is a member of The Executive Board of The Martha's Vineyard NAACP; on the Board of the Nathan Mayhew Seminars and Community Services and is a member of the Martha's Vineyard Hospital Corporation.

Vera's philosophy is essentially simply—IF ONE TAKES THE SERVICES AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THIS ISLAND THEN ONE SHOULD GIVE SOMETHING OF ONESELF BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

Vera says "Life on the Vineyard is simple yet exciting," I am often tired but never bored, I look forward to visits from my friends and my children Beth and Lynn. Both is an actress, dancer and singer and has performed on Broadway in "REGGAE", in "DANCIN" and was recently seen on NBC in a film, "THE FIRM". Lynn is a writer who has won poetry prizes and is published in Afro American Literature by Harcort, Brace & Javarovich, Inc.

For all these reasons DELEGATE MAGAZINE proclaims VERA SHORTER ARTIST OF THE YEAR.

Vera wants to share a poem written by Lynn with all of us because it say there is much beauty in life if we but look.

DOMO'S MIRROR
by Lynn Shorter

In the Harlem ruins
Domo's stallion, with the fish hook tail
grazed on green blades on peace.

Bees in the pohouse of violets
danced the boogie
with amazing grace

In the mirror,
Domo played his flute of herbs
and the ruins sprang to life.

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Vera worked with Martha's Vineyard NAACP annual concert

Participants in NAACP concert

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