Talladega College to Showcase Historic African American Art Collection in Partnership with Smithsonian American Art Museum
First Partner to Join with SAAM and HBCU Digital Art Project — H-DAP
To read this week’s Pigment Newsletter click here.
On December 12, Talladega College announced its participation in the groundbreaking HBCU — Digital Art Project (H-DAP) in collaboration with the esteemed Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). This innovative partnership marks a significant milestone for the college as it undertakes the digital curation of its substantial and historic collection of African American Art, including the world-renowned Amistad Murals by the legendary artist Hale Woodruff. The highlight of this collaboration is the leadership role taken by the Talladega College President Gregory J. Vincent, J.D. in being the inaugural HBCU partner.
The murals, a powerful depiction of the journey from slavery to freedom, were painted by Woodruff in 1939 to commemorate the centennial of the Amistad Rebellion. The murals, depicting the heroic story of the Amistad mutiny and its subsequent legal battles, are a powerful testament to the resilience, strength, and triumph of the African spirit. The collection is now valued at an astounding $58 million.
President Vincent expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with SAAM and the HBCU Digital Art Project (H-DAP). Through this digital repository we can unlock the treasures hidden within these culturally significant art collections, making them assessable to students, scholars, and art lovers worldwide while showcasing their brilliance to a global audience.”
The HBCU — Digital Art Project aims to preserve, celebrate, and make accessible the rich artistic heritage housed within Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Founded by Valerie A. Cooper, owner of Picture That Consultants, the project was created to rectify the omission and marginalization of the contributions of African American art to overall American art history. “SAAM’s support of this project and Talladega’s willingness to be the first HBCU participant, reflect the importance and cultural significance of including African American art and history within the American Art cannon,” she said.
H-DAP’s searchable Digital Directory and Digital Repository, will leverage cutting-edge technology to capture the intricate details and vibrant colors of the Amistad Murals and other HBCU works, ensuring their accessibility to a global audience.
To read this article in its entirety click here.
