The Barnett-Aden Collection

Transcription

1 The Barnett-Aden Collection Acacia Historical Arts International is honored to include in The Acacia Collection the following items donated in the honor and memory of Adolphus Ealey, who was dedicated to the concept of teaching African American history through the art of his beloved Barnett-Aden Collection.

2 Donated in the honor and memory of Adolphus Ealey who was dedicated to the concept of teaching African American history through the art of his beloved Barnett-Aden Collection. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BARNETT-ADEN COLLECTION Professor James V. Herring founder of the art department of Howard University and Alonzo Aden curator of the Howard University Gallery of Art opened the Barnett-Aden Gallery in their small row house in Washington D. C. in Although all artists were welcomed it was especially helpful and encouraging to African American artists who could not find galleries to show their works. The gallery drew a wide range of visitors including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Many artists that were represented went on to earn wide acclaim including Motley, Lawrence, Catlett, Biggers, Bearden, Douglas, and Tanner. In 1969 Adolphus Ealey, an artist and teacher, inherited the largest portion of the collection. Ealey vowed to keep the collection preserved and subsequently dedicated the rest of his life to bringing the collection to the attention of the public. Through his steadfast efforts and determination he arranged for a showing at the Smithsonian s Anacostia Neighborhood Museum in 1974 when the first catalogue of the collection was published. The collection then went on to a showing at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1975 and was on display from 1976 to 1978 at the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum in Philadelphia. In 1981 some benefactors became interested in The Collection and eventually formed HTA (History Through Art Corp.) and helped Ealey open a modern and intimate gallery in Boca Raton, Florida. On April 22, 1989 Ealey s friend Helen Jackson (mother of Rev. Jesse Jackson) cut the ribbon and opened the doors of the HTA Gallery. Among the guests that night was Mrs. Jeb Bush who years later as First Lady of Florida would display works from the Barnett-Aden Collection at the Governor s Mansion. Ealey has spoken of those gallery days, where his time was spent lecturing to adults and school children about the Barnett-Aden Collection, as the happiest times in his life. Visitors who thought they were coming for a quick look see would often be found hours later sitting on the gallery floor gathered in rapt attention around Ealey. Always impeccably dressed with his signature bow tie, Ealey would sit in his French desk chair and mesmerize his audience with a soft voice and vivid history lessons brought to life through the paintings. It was at this gallery that the collection came to the attention of Dr. Israel Tribble Jr, CEO of the Florida Education Fund. Tribble also had dreams for The Collection and Ealey agreed to have FEF acquire the collection as the beginning of a major cultural and educational institution. In 1991 the collection was unveiled at The Florida Education Fund s Museum of African American Art in Tampa, Florida, and in 1995 the second catalogue of the Barnett-Aden collection was published. This seemed to be the fulfillment of Ealey s dream that his beloved paintings would have a permanent home and have a role in ensuring that this aspect of African American history would not fade into anonymity. Ealey passed away in 1992 and never had to witness the unfortunate closing of FEF s Tampa Museum. In 1998 the Barnett-Aden Collection was purchased by Robert Johnson founder of Black Entertainment Television.

3 17 th Anniversary Exhibition at Barnett Aden Gallery 1960 POSTER The Barnett Aden Collection Catalogue by Smithsonian Institution Press 1974 For: The Anacostia Neighborhood Museum January 20-May 6, 1974 Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. January 10-February 9, 1975 American Visions magazine AFRO AMERICAN ART 1986 Pps. 38 and 44 articles on Barnett- Aden Collection

4 American Visions magazine Oct 1986 Pg. 38 article on Barnett-Aden Collection Collector Plate # 922 Flower Vendor by Ellis Wilson TITLED Mama The first Afro-American Collector s plate in history The first issue in the Mothers Plate Series 1983 Heritage Heirlooms, Inc. Collector Plate # 642 The Good Book by Anthony Watkins Dedicated to Cultural Legacy and Lifestyles of Afro-America 1984 Heritage Heirlooms, Inc.

5 Six 5x7 color photographs Adolphus Ealey in his home Gallery Copyright Dexter Oliver Exhibition Poster Brother Gardner AC-BAW Gallery 1988 EBONY magazine Feb Black History Salute Advertisement By McDonalds Corp. Along with offer for curriculum kit

6 Curriculum Kit for Barnett-Aden Collection Produced by McDonalds Corp. Black History Through Art 1980 Student Guides Teacher Guide Cassette lecture HTA Gallery opening invitation April 22, 1989 HTA Gallery brochure 1989 Slides and photos of HTA Gallery Opening 1989 Including guests such as Helen Jackson, Mrs. Jeb Bush etc. HTA Gallery opening night gift poster Street Corner Discussion

7 Personal Commentary by Adolphus Ealey of 40 paintings from the Barnett-Aden Collection Transcribed from an audio tape Video Tape of Person of the Week news cast Interviewing Adolphus Ealey, at HTA Gallery Newspapers & Magazines Full color articles on The Barnett-Aden Collection Sun-Sentinel, Tampa Tribune, Gold Coast Lifestyle, Palm Beach Life Southern Accents Adolphus Ealey s HTA Gallery Desk Chair Invitation to Tampa Museum of Art Exhibition of Barnett-Aden Collection 1990

8 FEF Florida Education Fund Museum of African American Art Museum Gift Catalog Museum Booklet Museum Pamphlet Museum Fund Raising Pamphlet Barnett-Aden Collection 20 Christmas Greeting cards Barnett-Aden Collection Calendar 1996

9 Little Brown Girl by Laura Wheeler Waring Street Corner Discussion artist unknown Brother Gardner by Barse, Jr.

10 . Flight Into Egypt by Henry O. Tanner Flower Vendor by Ellis Wilson Negro Boy By Hale Woodruff

11 . Negro Woman By Augustus Dunbier The Matriarch By Ellis Wilson Guest Book from HTA Gallery Opening

12 Personal Items belonging to Adolphus Ealey Autographed copy of Roots by Alex Haley 2/2/77 Adolphus Ealey The very warm best to you and your family From the family of Kunta Kinte-and Congratulations on your museum Alex Haley Rainbow Coalition Poster designed by Ealey Christmas card Set of African-American themed Christmas Cards by Adolphus Ealey 1991

13 Golden Jubilee-50 th Anniversary National Association of Colored Woman, Inc 25 th National Convention 1946 Booklet and Program Adolphus Ealey s High School Graduation Program High School of Music and Art Carnegie Hall June 1959 James V. Herring Scurlock Studio Photograph

14 Anacostia Neighborhood Museum 5 th Anniversary booklet, Sept.15,1972 Adolphus Ealey 8x10 photo in museum setting Martin Lutheran King Commemorative Coin Copy of news article and photo with Ealey who was the designer of the coin

15 Barnett-Aden Collection Catalogue FEF African American Museum of Art 1995 Plaque of Tampa Tribune Article Presented to Adolphus Ealey by Dr. Israel Tribble, CEO Florida Education Fund