African American Masterworks from the Paul R. Jones Collection at The University of Alabama on view August 3–December 3, 2023 at the LSU Museum of Art.

The LSU Museum of Art (LSU MOA) premieres the exhibition African American Masterworks from the Paul R. Jones Collection at The University of Alabama on Thursday, August 3, 2023. The show features sixty paintings, sculptures, photographs, and prints by prominent twentieth century Black artists including Sam Gilliam, Faith Ringgold, Jacob Lawrence, Howardena Pindell, Emma Amos, and Romare Bearden. A free public opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, August 3 at 6:00 p.m., featuring a performance of music by Nina Simone, presented by Chloé Marie.

The Paul R. Jones Collection was founded at The University of Alabama in 2008, with the donation of approximately 1,700 artworks from Paul Raymond Jones. He gifted the College of Arts and Sciences a portion of his vast collection with the intention of preserving the legacy of African American artists, sparking the interest of future collectors, and elevating the position of Black artists in the mainstream art world. Jones’s estate contributed an additional three hundred works to the collection in 2013, bringing the total gift to two thousand pieces representing a variety of media by over six hundred artists. In 2001, Jones also gave the University of Delaware one thousand artworks, a portion of which are on permanent display.

Paul Raymond Jones came from humble beginnings. Born in 1928 in the Muscoda Mining Camp of the Tennessee Coal, Iron, and Railroad Company (T.C.I.) of the U.S. Steel Corporation in Bessemer, Alabama, his parents instilled in him an understanding of the value and importance of education. He completed a bachelor’s degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., with the intention of attending the School of Law at The University of Alabama in 1949. However, his aspirations were stifled, as African Americans were prohibited from attending the University until the federal courts ordered desegregation in 1963. Jones instead earned a master’s degree in urban studies from Governor’s State College in Illinois in 1974, and worked with the federal government for fifteen years.

Motivated by the lack of Black representation in American museums, Jones began collecting art in the 1960s, initially concentrating on twentieth century printmaking. His focus evolved throughout the years, with him amassing one of the largest private holdings of African American art in the country. Jones was deeply committed to art in general, believing it to be a powerful tool that could build resilient communities, strengthen individuals, and encourage positive communication. The founding of the Paul R. Jones Museum at The University of Alabama reinforced his vision that Black artists are included in the overall history of American art, and ensured that their artwork is recognized by and accessible to future generations.

Jones received numerous awards and recognitions, including the first Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change Outstanding Community Service Award, the James Van Der Zee Award for Lifetime Achievements in the Arts, and an honorary Doctorate of Laws from The University of Alabama, the same University that had once denied his entry based on his race. He passed in 2010.

This exhibition will be on view at the LSU Museum of Art from August 3–December 3, 2023.

Visit LSU Museum of Art’s Facebook and Instagram pages @lsumoa regularly for program announcements and exhibition updates. For more information: www.lsumoa.org

ABOUT LSU MUSEUM OF ART

LSU Museum of Art seeks to enrich and inspire through collections, exhibitions, conservation, and education, serving as a cultural and intellectual resource for the University, Baton Rouge, and beyond.

LSU Museum of Art is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. LSU Museum of Art is supported in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, funded by the East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President & Metro Council. Funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for the 2023 Emergency Planning Grant has been provided by the State of Louisiana and administered by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support is provided by generous donors to the Annual Exhibition Fund: The Imo N. Brown Memorial Fund in memory of Heidel Brown and Mary Ann Brown; The Alma Lee, H. N., and Cary Saurage Fund; Charles “Chuck” Edward Schwing; Robert and Linda Bowsher; and The Newton B. Thomas Family/Newtron Group Fund. The Louisiana Lottery Corporation sponsors free admission for Free First Sundays and Free Friday Nights. Thank you to LSU Auxiliary Services for providing water and sodas at all LSU MOA programs. LSU MOA educational programming is sponsored by the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

VISITOR INFORMATION

The museum is located in downtown Baton Rouge at 100 Lafayette Street on the Fifth Floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts. General admission is $5 each for adults and children age 13 and over. Admission is free to university faculty and students with ID, children age 12 and under, and museum members. Active-duty military and veterans, first responders, and their families receive free admission with ID as part of the Blue Star Museums program. Show your EBT card and photo ID at the admissions desk and receive free admission for up to 4 individuals as part of the Museums for All initiative. Museum Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m.; and closed on Mondays and major holidays. Free admission occurs on the first Sunday of each month and every Friday night from 5-8 p.m. For more information: visit www.lsumoa.org, call 225-389-7200, and follow the museum on social media @lsumoa for exhibition and program updates.

 ####