How did Black Art begin in the South?

 "If we cannot do what other free men do, then we are not free." -- John Hope, "We Are Struggling for Equality"

 

19th Annual Art Exhibition Opening, May 1, 1960

 

 

John Hope became president of Morehouse in 1929 with a vision to add an art component. Florence Read was president of Spelman at the time. The two leaders worked together to form a curricula for the arts. 

John Hope pictured with his family. Hope was the first black president of Morehouse College and later Atlanta University.

Florence Read & John Hope 

** It’s important to keep in mind that we are dealing with a heavily segregated American South at this time…

In my previous article I spoke about the difference in how African Americans were introduced to art in the North and the South. To read these articles, click below:

Black Art in America, North vs. South | FDR, the Federal Art Project **

John Hope was a collector of Hale Woodruff's artwork. Both John Hope and Florence Read wanted to recruit Woodruff to teach at the AUC. 

Amistad Mural, Hale Woodruff (1938)

• Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia. The painter Hale Woodruff (1942)

Hale never really wanted to teach, but times were getting hard as an artist in Paris.

        "I went to the YMCA, stayed there, and walked the streets of New York for a few days trying to make up my mind as to whether I should go to Atlanta [University]... I delayed my going for frankly I never thought I would like to teach. In art school, I always sidestepped anything having to do with art education or the teaching of art.”  - “Hale Woodruff, Nancy Elizabeth Prophet, and the Academy” 

But thanks to John Hope’s persistence, Hale finally accepted the job offer. He joined Morehouse as head of the art department in 1931.  

Three years later sculptor Nancy Prophet was hired and this significantly elevated the art department. Now, the art program at the AUC was on the same level as schools Howard University. 

"...Prophet's three-dimensional, art history and architecture offerings were critical to the program's evolution to a college-level degree-granting program." - “Hale Woodruff, Nancy Elizabeth Prophet, and the Academy” 

Nancy Elizabeth Prophet

Finally, Hale Woodruff created the Atlanta Annual which launched in 1942. He explained, 

"I felt there was a need for a cultural regeneration in Atlanta, certainly at Atlanta University and the sister affiliated institutions. I wanted to bring art to the community as a whole...to give the young artist and the older artist a chance to show their works and to exhibit on a national basis."

Photo from an Atlanta Annual Exhibition

Hale explained that art shows like this were already a common practice of many schools and colleges throughout the country. 

Here is an excerpt from a December issue of the the Atlanta University Bulletin:

    "In an effort to encourage Negro artists, Atlanta University is sponsoring an exhibition of paintings in oil and watercolor, to be held on campus in the late spring, April 19 - May 3. Artists who enter this competitive exhibition will have an opportunity to win one of five handsome awards. 

    Not only will this effort be an opportunity to bring to light the best works by leading Negro artists, but it will also be an opportunity to bring to light the best works by leading Negro artists of the day, and a means to discovering latent talent among certain undiscovered artists. This is to be an annual exhibition sponsored by the University. It is the hope of Atlanta University that artists who win awards may some day be as acclaimed as the late Henry O. Tanner and E.M. Harleston." -“Hale Woodruff, Nancy Elizabeth Prophet, and the Academy” 

This is the beginning of Fine Art in the South. 

Niya Beverly is a writer and designer in Atlanta, Ga. Let’s connect: https://poplme.co/niyabeverly

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