In this moment of collective struggle, the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art is committed to staying connected with artists, institutions, galleries, and other bright minds in the art world. We have dedicated this page to sharing resources, educational materials, news, and events pertaining to creative efforts that help us maintain social ties when we are all forced to keep our distance. Please feel free to share resources with us at pffcollection@gmail.com that you believe would be a valuable addition to this page. Stay safe, stay healthy, and please stay home.
With Warm Wishes,
The PFF Team
Painting (Left): Ronald Jackson, She Sang a Song No One Would Hear: Songs of Stories Untold, 2019. [Virtual gallery of Ronald Jackson’s recent work available at De Buck Gallery]
ARVIE SMITH
2Up and 2Back
In coordination with the Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, respected PFF artist and friend Arvie Smith, received a grant for publication of the book 2Up and 2Back. It’s a fine catalog with in-depth analysis and context of his work. PFF Curator, Berrisford Boothe, contributed a 4,000 word essay about five of Arvie’s paintings.
We hope that by including a section of this catalog online, that our peers, friends, and colleagues will not only be amazed and awakened to Arvie’s magnificent work, but that should the opportunity arise, be willing to promote this seasoned artist to galleries, museums, and others with future exhibitions in mind.
Here is a link to purchase the full catalog, where you can also read Daniel Duford’s 7,000 word deep dive into Arvie’s life and work.
Boothe, Berrisford. “Embedded Truths: Five Paintings by Arvie Smith.” In Arvie Smith: 2Up and 2Back, 5–16. Portland, OR: Disjecta Contemporary Art Center and Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University, 2020.
Remembering David Driskell
It still doesn’t seem real. David Driskell died on April 1st, 2020. The wave of visual and written testaments of David C. Driskell’s impact, influence and deeply personal relationships across the social media landscape was vast.
It is no exaggeration to say that David’s life, art and influence drew the contours and cross-contours of scholarship that elevated the mentality and meaning of African American art in America. We were fortunate to acquire a portfolio of his prints produced in collaboration with one of his chief apostles, the artist and Master printer, Curlee Raven Holton.
God grant you wings, David! In the words of Saul Williams, “You’re too fly not to fly!” PFF will continue his mission (from which our mission was born) of awareness, education in and scholarship about African American Art.
Every African American artist and art historian alive owes a debt to David C. Driskell.
Keith Morrison
The attached reflection was shared with us by the distinguished Jamaican -born artist, educator, writer, and curator, Keith Morrison.
Sunday Art Salons
Founded by Dr. Fahamu Pecou, the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA) is hosting a weekly Art Salon. Sundays at noon (EST), join conversations with artists, curators, and scholars from the African Diaspora via Zoom. You can catch up on past conversations, and read more about ADAMA’s impressive work on their website.