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Beyond the dream: Artist Leo Twiggs' journey

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    Claflin University graduate becomes world renowned artist

  • Duration 4:05
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For more than a 140 years -- and university has been providing access to higher education for African American students.

The college is committed to preparing students to become future leaders.

In their respective careers.

Graduates often develop what's known as the -- -- confidence and attitude of excellence and character and service.

Leo it's quakes is one of those fortunate -- and students who now enjoys a -- for success as a world renowned artists living his life.

Beyond the during.

The angelic voices of the -- and university concert choir are a perfect blend.

For displaying them heartedly laughing graduate Leo swings -- Leo Amanda devout faith captures many themes from his southern upbringing during segregation.

In one pain he illustrates how his family relied on faith in god to overcome the racist.

We African Americans.

Costs keep them religion religion as a real -- -- Of how we got over some dispute it is Howell.

What sustained us that's what's I tried to -- he -- That that this is a sanctuary there.

When you -- in the spirit you -- a -- that you can make it.

Leo grew up during a time when blacks are viewed as being inferior to whites he was one of six children living in the small rural town of saint -- South Carolina.

His father died when Leo was fifteen which meant Leo's mother have -- task of taking care of six children -- on her own.

To help out Leo worked as a janitor projection -- at the local movie theater.

But his job and racial tensions causes mother to have many restless nights.

My mother was always scared that some -- it would haunt me I was -- -- and rejectionist.

I was doing something that we African Americans -- supposed to be doing.

It was kind of out of place you know -- word that somebody would find out -- -- calmly.

-- no harm ever came to Leo he works hard at the theater and even harder in school.

Which earned him support from some unexpected sources -- -- in the top.

-- -- -- And principles that you can go to college.

This teaches you go to college but nobody told me how to do that -- look -- -- -- console look until me and I'll play minister.

In my hometown the minister at the -- Baptist -- consumed -- put my stuff in the trunk of Moscow and brought me to clamp.

-- -- gave Leo a scholarship and his experience as our projection as came in handy.

He worked seven days a week at a local movie theater in Orangeburg he earned enough money to pay his tuition plus send money home to -- family.

From collapse when he -- -- to -- his Master of Arts degree from New York University.

And in 1970 Leo became the first African American student to receive a doctor of arts from the University of Georgia.

Leo then became a pioneer.

Developing his paintings in a unique innovative -- technique -- he can.

And that's what this this process that this is not -- -- this is an accident -- on fabric.

And it's traditionally used to do the -- Korea's fabric what if -- try to play with -- Leo says he always dreamed of being a success he vividly remembers as a child often watching a bird fly overs home.

It became his motivation to aim high to achieve his dream.

And when I saw the bird and I'll always felt about.

My dreams blindly.

What it would look like out there.

It's amazing swept the bird flies away you're thinking that your dreams -- soars well yes -- Wheels works apart have been featured an art galleries around the world in 2002 and 2080 was selected to design ornaments for the White House Christmas tree.

His book messages from home a collective of his art is the first book to be published by his alma mater -- university press.

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