MS01.03.04 - Box 01 - Folder 10 - Narratives - Correspondence, 1996, Part 2

THE ART GALLERY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK

6 December 1996

Steven Hurtt, Dean School of Architecture Architecture Bldg. CAMPUS

Dear Steven:

A group of arts colleagues has been meeting to strategize about ways to enhance the future of the visual arts and design in these hard times on campus: William Pressly, Chair, Department of Art History and Archaeology Stephanie Pogue, Chair, Department of Art David Driskell, Prof Department of Art Patrick Craig, Prof. Department of Art Ruth Lozner, Prof. Department of Art Sally Promey, Prof. Department of Art History and Archaeology Juanita Holland, Prof. Department of Art History and Archaeology Lynn Woodruff, Director of the Art Library Catherine Hays, CoordinatorElectronic and Digital Media Sarah Miller, Slide Curator, Department of Art History and Archaeology Terry Gips, Director, The Art Gallery

We have identified our general goal as a collaborative association for sharing of resources and strategies to promote our common interests. Central to realizing this goal is the formation of something we are tentatively calling THE DRISKELL CENTER FOR VISUAL CULTURE. This name comes from the centrality of Prof. David. C. Driskell’s many contributions to the arts at the university, (and beyond) and because of the initiative already underway to develop a program in the Department of Art History and Archeology in the Arts of the African Diaspora. Among the early events which will launch this program is a major exhibition at The Art Gallery in the spring of 1998: Nurturing the Future: The Art and Collections of David C. Driskell.

At the same time, we recognize that there are several other significant initiatives underway which share much with a Center for Visual Culture. We concluded that it makes sense on many levels to share conceptual ideas, curricular planning, fundraising efforts, and perhaps most important, efforts to improve our physical facilities. Among those other initiatives are: l)expansion of the Art Library; 2)development of a computer-supported Teaching Theatre; 3)relocation of the remaining elements (classrooms, photo lab) of the design program from Marie Mount to space contiguous with the other art studios; 4)the development of a center for “creative collaboration” among artists, designers, and many others throughout the campus; 5)development of a more integrated visual resource center involving slides, on-line resources, a digital media lab, * etc. 6)expansion of exhibitions space so that objects in the Art Gallery’s permanent collection can be on display for the public and available for study and research to UMCP classes, individual students, faculty, and scholars from elsewhere.

Art-Sociology Building College Park, Mary land 20742 Telephone / 301 / 405-2763

At our meeting today, we came to two general conclusions: The first was that there are several areas of potential overlap with the School of Architecture. The library facilities and visual resource center are perhaps the most obvious. We would like you, Anita Carrico, Chris Kirwan, and Cindy Frank to join in our discussions. The second conclusion we reached was that we need to articulate our various specific needs and goals and to complete a space needs and options study. We are forming a reflector account to facilitate our conversations. We plan to prepare brief descriptions (a couple of paragraphs each) for all of the initiatives listed above and post them by December 13. We plan to come together on Tuesday, January 21, 10 am - 12 noon, for further discussion and to draft a summary mission statement. At that meeting, we would also like to identify the next steps to take. (We will consider alternative dates if response via the reflector indicates significant conflicts for the 21st.) We trust that you will agree that there is much to be gained by working together on at least some portions of the above. But please feel free to call or email me if you have questions or comments. Sincerely Terry Gips Director cc. Visual Culture Group

10 December 1996

Adele Seeff, Director Center for Renaissance & Baroque Studies 0139 Taliaferro Hall University of Maryland College Park, MD 2074

Dear Adele:

I am very happy to write in support of your request for funding from the Maryland Humanities Council for public programs in conjunction with the exhibition of my collection and work scheduled for The Art Gallery at the University in the Spring 1998. Your proposed public institutes on the history of African American Art, arts of the Harlem Renaissance, and the contemporary African American artist’s experience are wonderful ways to use my collection as a catalyst to better understand African American culture.

As you know, this exhibition at the university will be a critical juncture in the evolution of my work as a collector and artist. I am very pleased to see the comprehensive presentation of the works of art, and the opportunity for scholars, educators, students of all ages, and the general public to enjoy and learn from them. In addition, I am delighted to be one of the institute presenters.

Sincerely,

David C. Driskell Distinguished University Professor of Art

THE ART GALLERY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK December 16, 1996 MEMO TO: David Driskell FROM: Karen Werth, The Art Gallery RE: Enclosed image Someone found a photograph of this image in the Lot 1 parking area last week. It’s a work by Charles White, entitled Native Son, No. 2, 1942. Do you know who might own this photograph? The other copy is the information found on the back. To my knowledge, this image is not from our collection. Any insight you can offer will be greatly appreciated. Galle Art-Sociology Building College Park, Maryland 20742 Telephone / 301 / 444-2763 HOS