The Healing Passage: Voices from the Water

When we think of art we usually think of museums. Or galleries. Or artists' studios. We think of art as entertaining or beautiful or "in vogue". This profound and wonderful documentary shows us artists who use their art to heal the human spirit. Director S. Pearl Sharp asks us to shift our perspective. She examines the responsibility that the artist who is of African descent has to help heal the historic ravages of slavery. Black and white were damaged. Black and white need to be healed. All the artists showcased use their creations to improve the society they live in. The Healing Passage is a thoughtful film. It is both educational and entertaining. It features some well-known artists and others who are lesser-known. It contains what is probably one of the last filmed performances of Oscar Brown, Jr.