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Our mission is to save the historic Fodice School and launch a year round Artist Residency Program that will operate in the once segreagated school.
We are planning our 2012 Event Calendar.
If you would like to volunteer or sponsor an upcoming event, please contact us.
Spring 2012 : Fodice Friends Day Picnic
Summer 2012 : 2nd Annual Live Art Auction
Fall 2012 : Fodice Film Festival
Winter 2012 : Fodice Wild Game Dinner
Fodice: A Short History
1860 -1960's
In the pre-Civil War South, African Americans were barred from receiving an education. After emancipation, freed slaves of all ages began swarming toward schools. For them, obtaining an education was not just another step away from shedding the chains of slavery, but also the sole path to embark upon the transition toward real freedom. The years following the end of the Civil War ushered in an astounding change in American formal education. Almost immediately after the documents ending the war were signed, legions of freed slaves sought teachers and built schools. By the end of the Reconstruction period, they had established hundreds of elementary and secondary schools, thereby laying a new foundation on the landscape of American public education. During the 1850s, thousands of former slaves left their plantations and struck out to make new lives. A group of freedmen migrated from Georgia and Arkansas up to Texas. They settled in an area two hours northeast of Houston and named their new community Fodice which some sources maintain came from "four dice," a favorite game of the early settlers. Other sources suggest that the those settlers came from the Arkansas community of Fordyce, from which "Fodice" was derived. The community steadily grew to include a grist mill, a cotton gin, a post office, and a Methodist church which doubled as a schoolhouse. Classes were held in the sanctuary until a school building was erected in 1900. Enrollment grew and they were blessed with the addition of a new much larger school in 1938, thanks to the hard work of local families and the financial backing of the WPA ( Works Projects Administration ).The school included an auditorium, a stage, and 12 huge classrooms. Fodice was never incorporated and was never much more than a few unpaved roads, but it was becoming a growing, thriving community alive with the promise of working families, plenty of children, and activity.
1960's - Present
When desegregation forced its students to consolidate into other area schools, the Fodice communities population dwindled. With its residents slowly migrating to other towns for work and school, there were few left to take care of the over sized school. The post office was closed in 1966 and the Fodice School became a Community Center. The Fodice Alumni Association was organized and annual homecomings were held at the one time school. Through their meetings residents were encouraged to seek a historical marker for their community. Sabra D. Berry, Alzena Berry and Pauline Davis , all long-time educators in Fodice are responsible for making that happen in 1980. This dedicated trio of Fodice teachers all passed before 1990 and did not get to see the historical marker placed at their beloved school. The Fodice School has remained unused and un-maintained since their passing. The Fodice Foundation was created to protect the Fodice School and our goal is to draw some much deserved attention the history of the Fodice community, allow the Fodice School to once again serve those who love it and to continue its legacy of education in the most inspiring way possible..thru ART.
The Berry Family at the 2011 Fodice Picnic.
Sabra D. Berry
Sabra Dorthy Berry August 19, 1915 - August 6, 1984 attended the Fodice Shool, Mary Allen College, and Texas College. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education, she went on to recieve her Masters Degree from Texas Southern University. Sabra was an elementary school teacher for more than 37 years in Crockett ISD retiring in 1980. She continued her work at the Fodice Community Center, teaching adult education and holding arts and craft classes. She hosted many banquets, functions and dinners and worked hard to keep the Fodice School a vital functioning place for the communities in the Lovelady area. Pictured left : The Berry Family at the 2011 Fodice Friends Day Picnic.
I am the great-great-granddaughter of Rhoda Berry who migrated from Fodyce Arkansas. My father attended the Fodice School.Interested in sharing the progress of the Fodice Foundation at the Berry Family reunion in 2010. - Yvonne Herbert
I am a descendant of the Berry family that were prominent settlers of the Fodice community. My ancestors migrated from Arkansas and were instrumental in the settlement and development of the community. I have visited the school several times and it has always given me a sense of pride and appreciation for the history that lies within. My father and his siblings attended the school and I have often heard him tell stories of his classmates, teachers and the Fodice community. I hope the school will be preserved as it is such an integral part of this wonderful community. - Brenda Kaye Berry Lamb
Since my grand parents and my mother were all born in Fodice my brothers, sister and I are very concerned about helping the Fodice cause in the redevelopment project. We are all decendants of the Wiley Family. Although we reside in Seattle Washington we are still looking forward to helping and assisting in anyway to help the Fodice Foundation. We are availiable for support. - Ted Howard-Wiley
I grew up there in Fodice and attended school there.I remember so many good times growing up in that community. - Barbara Williams
I found your website on google by searching Fodice, Texas and stumbled your pictures of Fodice School. I am a decendent of the Berry Family and have many memories of playing in the school when I was a child, 20 years ago. I look forward to revisting your website for updates. - Tiffany Whitaker
AS THE FIRST BORN GRANDCHILD OF LESLIE M. BERRY AND SABRA D. BERRY, I HAVE MANY MEMORIES OF THE FODICE SCHOOL. NOT AS A SCHOOL BUT AS THE COMMUNITY CENTER OF FODICE SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SUCH AS WHITEROCK, PENNINGTON, THANKFUL, AND SMITHGROVE. I WITNESSED THE PRIDE AND HARD WORK PUT INTO MAKING THIS BUILDING SERVE THE COMMUNITY. MY GRANDPARENTS ALONG WITH OTHER RELATIVES WOULD COME TOGETHER AND HOLD MANY ANNUAL FUNCTIONS. THINGS SUCH AS THE WILD GAME DINNER DURING SEASONAL HUNTING, TRAIL RIDES BENEFITTING THE LOCAL CEMETERY. MY COUSINS AND I EVEN PARTICIPATED THE FASHION SHOWS MY GRANDMOTHER HELD. THIS OLD BUILDING MEANS ALOT TO THE BERRY, WOOTEN, AND A MANY OTHER FAMILIES FROM THE LOVELADY AREA. - KAREN BERRY
I grew up next the old school. My mother and aunt attend the school when they were growing up. My grandfather C D Jolly and grandmother Creola Jolly lived in the house just up the road. I have spend many hours playing in the old school. I remember when they taught some adults education classes in the school. They taught reading, writing, math and some arts. I also recalled that on Sundays I had a cousin that held church in the school also. I am glad that it is being reborn. It is a great place. - Linda Jolly-Evans
FOUNDING CIRCLE
M embers
$5000
Anonymous
Marie + Christian Bruns
Kimberly + Frank DeLape
Dr. Carolyn Farb
Gallery M Squared
Joyce Harlow
M. Brian Hicks + Pedro A. Blasini
Dena + David Linda
Buddy Steves + Rowena Young
Tom + Mary Rollins
Wade Wilson Art
Jim Prell
FODICE FRIENDS
$1500
Joe Walker
Nick & Candice Goodwin
Richard Orton
Steve + Otto
Terry Hamman
the Houston Press
Wendy Niziol
Debbie Porter
F.E. Abernethy
Janet Blocker
Kevin Davis + Bryan Frazier
Lisa Qualls
Ramzy Telley
Sharon + Gus Kopriva
$100 - $499
Beatrice Johnson
Boheme Cafe & Wine Bar
Chris Higham
David Riddle
Denito Berry
Eleanora Alper
Elisa & Paul Rochford
Harry B. Grenader
Jim D'Imperio
Joann Crassas
Kay Sheffield
Kevin Begnaud
Kim Coffman
Larry Tharp
Lina Corinth
Marcy & Douglas Newman
Rufus Lovett
Spacetaker
Ted Wiley Howard Family
Wayne Picard
FODICE GUARDIANS
$2500
Alliance Printing
Dan Medrano
David + Carrie Hardaker
Deborah Colton
Colton & Farb Gallery
Gant Architects
Janice Splawn
Lana Anderson
Marshall Welch + Miri Wilkins
Max Boyd Harrison + Michael Kubis
Norman Ewart
Steve Hogan
Fodice Artist Members
2011
Alfredo Scaroina
Anderson + Medrano
Anita Varadaraju
Anthony Butkovich
Bexar
Bill Hailey
Candice Goodwin
Charlie Jean Sartwelle
Chasity Porter
David Hardaker
Eleanora Kupencow
Felipe Lopez
Gabriel Delgado
Galina Kurlat
Jill Moser
Jim Carter
John Knott
John Runnels
Karine Parker Lemoyne
Katy Anderson
Kelley Devine
Ken Mazzu
