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Grant Hill's
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A native of Washington, D.C., Elizabeth Catlett made her home in Mexico where her art developed a large following, that would eventually extend to the United States and beyond. Left: Title: Standing Mother and Child, 1978
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Elizabeth Catlett is regarded as an excellent sculptor and her works are her interpretations of African American life. Perhaps best of all, she is noted for her dramatic and moving depictions of working women of color. She is also known for her works depicting the heroic Harriet Tubman, famous for her struggles against slavery.
Among her many achievements Elizabeth Catlett was the first woman professor to head the Sculpture Department, National Autonomous University in Mexico.
Visitors will be treated to a 20 minute video featuring Grant, his family and Elizabeth Catlett as part of the exhibition.
Romare Bearden explored many visual media during his long artistic career but favored collage. A graduate of the mathematics program from New York University he went on to join the Harlem Artists Guild. His career was honored when he was awarded among other accolades, the President's National Medal of Arts.
After his death, like other artists before him such as Norman Rockwell, Romare Bearden's estate established a non-profit foundation to foster the visual arts and of course to keep the legacy of the artist's works alive.
Title: Romare Bearden
Photography by Marvin Newman
Courtesy of the Romare Bearden Foundation
Romare Bearden's wife, Nanette Rohan Bearden was the President of the Romare Bearden Foundation until her death in 1996.
Hughie Lee-Smith, used his art to present his views of the world as he saw it. He trained extensively as an artist, but it wasn't until very late in his career that his work earned the recognition it deserved. It's power, passion and the social commentary provided, occasionally by the use of balloons and strings alongside imposing natural structures cause reflection and thought upon viewing them. |
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Hughie changed his name from Smith to Lee-Smith while in art school deciding a distinguished artist needed an equally distinguished name. A highlight of his career came in 1994 when he was commissioned to paint former New York City Mayor David Dinkin's official portrait.
John Thomas Biggers is responsible for the incredible murals on display at Texas Southern University. For over thirty years John Thomas Biggers was the chairman, actually the founding chairman, of the Art Department at Texas Southern University. He took the position while the institution used its former name, the Texas State University for Negroes. Dr. Biggers initiated a program that required senior students to create a mural on campus.
Title: The Upper Room, 1984
Artist: John Thomas Biggers (American 1924-2001)
Medium: Lithograph on paper
Dimensions 36 x 22 in.
Grant Hill Collection of African American Art
Thanks in part to a grant from UNESCO, Dr. Biggers and his wife were able to travel extensively in Africa and the influences became apparent in his works upon his return home.
Scholarship Fund
In a philanthropic gesture, Grant Hill, has agreed to sponsor a scholarship fund for students who wish to pursue a career in visual arts.
Grant notes "Providing educational opportunity is a gift I want to offer to aspiring artists, I am hopeful that this scholarship will help encourage these young artists to achieve their dreams and the means to fulfill their promise."
Interested individuals will find the application form on Grant's web site and further details about the scholarship.
Title: Innocence, 1991
Artist: Malcolm Brown, American
Medium: Watercolor on paper
Dimensions: 37 1/2 x 30 in.
Grant Hill Collection of African American Art
Grant Hill Book Signing
Sunday December 14th, 2003 is a special day at the Orlando Museum of Art when Grant Hill will autograph the accompanying exhibition catalogue Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African American Art. The book signing is scheduled for 1 p.m. in the museum's rotunda.
Grant Hill Collection of African-American Art:
Orlando Museum of Art:
November 2, 2003 - February 15, 2004
New Orleans Museum of Art:
April 10 - June 6, 2004
Texas Southern University Museum:
June 27 - August 31, 2004
Morgan State University's James E. Lewis Museum of Art:
September 17 - November 30, 2004
Dallas Museum of Art:
December 19, 2004 - April 17, 2005
Basketball Hall of Fame:
May 27 - September 10, 2005
Nasher Museum Duke University:
March 2 - July 16, 2006