By Kaley Makino
On April 26, Hampton University opened its doors to an eager group of VCUarts supporters, students and alumni for a special tour of the Hampton University Museum, which features one of the nation’s most impressive African American art collections. Guided by the expertise of Curator and Museum Director Dr. Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, the tour provided insider access to rare and unique collections, including the newly-installed Fredreick Douglass and Harriet Tubman Series of 1938-40 by Jacob Lawrenece, which intimately reflects the university’s history as one of the nation’s first Historically Black Colleges.
The tour was followed by a lunch reception where current students representing the Black Art Student Empowerment (BASE) organization intermingled with arts donors and alumni, and Holly Alford, Senior Director of Design, Director of Inclusion and Equity and Chair of Painting + Printmaking, spoke on the importance of fostering the relationship between VCU and Hampton. The afternoon was made doubly significant by the presence of Mrs. Mary DePillars, whose late husband Dr. Murry N. DePillars’ work was prominently featured in the collection. His impact as Dean of the School of the Arts for over two decades could be wholly felt and celebrated.
Lead image: Muzi Branch (BFA ’80, MAE ’86) and Holly Alford (BFA ‘97) VCUarts Director of Inclusion and Equity and Chair of Painting and Printmaking sit in front of the newly opened Jacob Lawrence collection at the Hampton University Museum