Exhibition and Programs Calendar for Academic Year 2011 - 2012
Theme: Freedom Fighter: In Commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial
Exhibition Schedule
*All Programs are Subject to Change
Freedom Fighters: Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman Series by Jacob Lawrence
January 27, 2012 – September 8, 2012
Opening Reception, Friday,
January 27, 2012, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public. To RSVP call 757.727.5308.
Jacob Lawrence’s Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman series from the late 1930s present the dramatic biographies of two American abolitionists who lived around the time of the Civil War. Together, the paintings have an extraordinary conceptual unity and visual eloquence. Although completed very early in Lawrence’s career, these two series embody some of the artist’s strongest work.
Jacob Lawrence achieved widespread recognition in the early 1940s and has since been regarded as one of America’s most important painters. He grew up in Harlem during the Depression, and his career owes must to that heritage. Swept up in the vigorous social and cultural milieu of that era, Lawrence drew upon Harlem scenes and black history for his subjects, portraying the lives and hope of African Americans.
A distinctive feature of Lawrence’s work is his use of the series format to render narrative content. In adopting this format, he was inspired by the Harlem community’s interest in celebrating African American history and its legendary figures. In the series, each panel depicts a significant event in the life of the hero and is accompanied by a numbered narrative caption. The success of Lawrence’s narrative series lies in the complementary power of image and caption.
In the Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman series, Lawrence pursues mythic subjects who both share the will and determination, in the face of all odds, to free their minds and spirits as well as their bodies from bondage. Douglass and Tubman are male and female counterparts representing the epitome of African American history. At times powerfully exquisite, at other times raw, even awkward, the expressive impact of these paintings speaks to use through time of the often-neglected episodes of American history and the black experience. These two Freedom Fighters story come to life in this exhibition.
Civil War Vignette: Paintings and Drawings of Freedom Fighters from the Hampton University Museum Collection
Hampton History Gallery, 2nd floor
February 25, 2012 – November 30, 2012
Paintings and Drawings of Freedom Fighters consists of works from artists Charles White, Elizabeth Catlett, William H. Johnson and John Biggers. All excellent artists, they have portrayed Freedom Fighters, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth and Phyllis Wheatley as the true abolitionist and fighters for justice. This exhibition will be on display on the second floor, Hampton History gallery.
Opening Reception and Family Day, February 25, 2012, 1:00 – 3:00pm.
Free and Open to the public. To RSVP call 727.5308.
Featuring the Freedom Fighter Living Museum
Sponsored by The Biggers’ Circle, visitors will watch the Museum come alive as our actors become artists and teach you all about their lives in this fun filled afternoon. So bring children of all ages as we learn more about the fight for freedom in this portrayal of American history. Contact Crystal Johnson at 757.727.5980 or crystalc.johnson@hamptonu.edu for more information and registration.
Also featuring a Booksigning in recognition of Reuben V. Burrell’s 93rd Birthday. Purchase a collection of black and white photographs taken by Hampton’s campus photographer. This book published by the Hampton University Museum will be the first collection of photographs taken by Burrell from the late 1940s – 1980s. Contact Vanessa Thaxton–Ward, 757.727.5508 or vanessa.thaxton–ward@hamptonu.edu or Nashid Madyun, 757.727.5313 or nashid.madyun@hamptonu.edu for more information. The book will not be available until February 25, 2012.
New Power Generation: A National Juried Exhibition
October 2012 – March 2013
If you are interested in submitting work to NPG 2012, please forward your mailing address and email information to Vanessa.Thaxton–Ward@hamptonu.edu. The prospectus will be available in soon.
Public Programs
January Theme: Dream Catchers and the Featured Artist, Reuben Burrell
January 21, 2012 (Saturday) 1:00 – 3:00 pm
NEW! Tree House Story Time & Creative Hands Workshop
Click Here for More Information
Members of Tree House enjoy an afternoon of Two Generations Story Time and our Creative Hands Workshop. The theme for the month of January is "Dream Catchers" and our featured artist is photographer, Reuben Burrell. Enjoying our story time session and then learn more about African Americans that followed their dreams as we explore the museum and create a work of art in our workshop, "This Is My Dream."
Pre–registration required. For more information about Tree House and this event contact Crystal Johnson at 757.727.5980 or email crystalc.johnson@hamptonu.edu for more information.
January 28, 2012 (Saturday) 1:00 – 4:00pm
NEW! Art Studio Workshop for Teens and Adults
Become introduced to our theme for the month of January, "Dream Catchers" and the documentary photography of Reuben Burrell as we create a sculpture using images of civil rights leaders and others who followed their dreams in the workshop, "The Inside–Outside of a Dream: Photo Form Sculpture." Workshop geared for ages 13 and up.
Pre–registration required. Materials needed and fee for workshop TBA. Contact Crystal Johnson at 757.727.5980 or crystalc.johnson@hamptonu.edu.
Annual Homecoming Jazz Brunch sponsored by the Hampton University Museum and the Biggers Circle
October 2012. More Information to come!Contact Vanessa Thaxton–Ward @ 757.727.5508 or Vanessa.Thaxton–Ward@hamptonu.edu for more information.
Holiday and Kwanzaa Marketplace and Workshop
December 7 & 8, 2012. More Information to come!Contact Vanessa Thaxton–Ward @ 757.727.5508 or Vanessa.Thaxton–Ward@hamptonu.edu for more information.
Partnerships
Juried Exhibition: Roots and Wings: An exhibition of student and faculty work from Hampton Roads
March 14th – April 12th, 2012
In conjunction with the Hampton University Black Family Conference and the Hampton University Museum and the Hampton University Department of Art, Roots and Wings, will be an exhibition of fine art featuring the works of students and academic professionals throughout Hampton Roads, celebrating the themes of family and heritage. Contact Nashid Madyun at 757.727-5313 or nashid.madyun@hamptonu.edu for more information.
Excel Art Exhibition, Hampton City Schools Gifted Arts Program
May 17, 2012
Organized and curated by Cynthia Davis, art specialist at Spratley Gifted Center. The exhibition includes students from Hampton Public Schools.
Contact Vanessa Thaxton–Ward @ 757.727.5508 or vanessa.thaxton–ward@hamptonu.edu or Cynthia Davis, Art Teacher, Spratley Gifted Art program for more information.
The Curiosity Room at the Hampton University Museum
The Curiosity Room is located on the 2nd floor of the Hampton University Museum. It is a place donated and manned by the Greater Williamsburg Women’s Association, where children can learn to appreciate and explore the many facets of art. The room is designed for pre–school through third grade children. In addition to structured activities in the room, children receive guided tours designed for their age level. The room is open on Thursday’s from 10 a.m. – 12 noon. This year the University Museum and the GWWA have formed a partnership with Armstrong School for the Arts, Hampton, VA and the Hampton University Early Childhood Center for special tours and programs. We are interested in serving the local Headstart programs. For Headstart reservations please contact Vanessa Thaxton–Ward at 757.727.5508. Maximum class size is ten and the minimum class size is three. The room is sponsored by GWWA (The Greater Williamsburg Women’s Association).
Hampton University Museum
Founded in 1868, the Hampton University Museum is the nation’s oldest African American museum. With galleries dedicated to African American, African, American Indian and Asian and Pacific art and artifacts, the museum contains more than 9,000 objects representing cultures and people from around the world. Within its fine arts collection is the largest existing collection of works in any museum by the artists John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence and Samella Lewis.
The Hampton University Museum is located in the newly restored Huntington Building (the former library) on the grounds of historic Hampton University campus. From Interstate 64, take exit 267/Hampton University and follow the signs to the museum. The museum is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 12 noon to 4 p.m.; closed on Sundays and major holidays. Admission is free. Call 757.727.5308 or log onto www.hamptonu.edu/museum for information.