January 2021 marks the eighth year since I was asked to become Principal Curator. I have resigned from that position. During my tenure, PFF Collection has become nationally recognized for its principled ways of doing business, the diverse but organic consolidation of African American art of the 20th and 21st century, and its willingness to partner with art institutions, museums large and regional – including an HBCU.
Collection Updates
Irvington Scholar Spotlight: Dahanah Sejour, MPH
In 2015, Dahanah Sejour was recognized for her outstanding academic achievements through PFF’s Irvington Top 12 Program. We are excited to catch up with her and spotlight her achievements since graduating.
The Fluid Imagination of Alvin Booth
Although he has been a vehicle and an avatar for creative expression for most of his life, Alvin only recently began considering himself an “Artist.” Each one of his dynamic compositions speak through themes of personal introspection, and weave in the lyrical or geometric notations of music as well as patterned and figurative shapes.
Mavis Pusey: Expanding the Definition of Black Art
Almost a year ago, we were fortunate enough to acquire the last remaining set of thirty-six prints from the estate of the late Mavis Pusey who died on April 20th 2019 at the age of 90.
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Honors Jim Petrucci
The AACCNJ recently honored Jim Petrucci at its Corporate Awards Dinner hosted on October 17, 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Princeton. The partnership between the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), Petrucci Family Foundation (PFF), and the School Board of Irvington New Jersey began in 2017 with the launch of the I AM Leadership Program…
For Immediate Release – Afrocosmologies: American Reflections at the Wadsworth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Kim Hugo, (860) 838-4082 Kim.Hugo@wadsworthatheneum.org Image files to accompany publicity of this exhibition are available for download at http://press.thewadsworth.org. Email to request login credentials. Afrocosmologies: American Reflections at the Wadsworth October 19, 2019–January 20, 2020 Hartford, Conn. (Sept. 23, 2019)—Afrocosmologies: American Reflections presents a window into a dynamic cosmos of influences […]
PFF Commission Portrait by Mario Moore
PFF commissioned acclaimed portrait artist Mario Moore to paint a legendary member of the Princeton Football Family – Henry “Hank” Towns. Jim Petrucci’s relationship with Hank goes back to 1982 as a freshman football player at Princeton and Hank has been an important presence in his life ever since.
Charles Edward Williams and PFF at Irvington High School
This spring, Charles E. Williams came to our area for a visit. During his stay, PFF arranged for him to give an artist’s talk to student-athletes at Irvington High School in NJ. He shared with them some of his experiences as an athlete and artist.
PFF Meets Stephen Hayes the Creator
Last year, PFF had the opportunity to visit the studio of Stephen Hayes the Creator. He gave us an intimate look into his studio and shared with us his origin story. It is no doubt that this man will be as legendary as he dreams.
PFF Introduces: Charles Edward Williams
Charles Edward Williams is a gifted figure painter with a remarkable personal history that informs his work and social outlook. As part of PFF’s mission in 2017-18 to augment our collection with younger African American voices, we traveled down to North Carolina to meet with Charles in his studio and add his work to our […]
PFF Collection Featured in the Portland Art Museum’s 125th Anniversary Video
PFF Collection was recently featured in the Portland Art Museum’s 125th Anniversary video. Check out PFF Curator Berrisford Boothe and famed artist Mickalene Thomas share some thoughts on the Portland Art Museum’s impact (section starts at 5:37 sec).
PFF in North Carolina
Last month PFF curator Berrisford Boothe traveled to North Carolina to visit a number of fantastic artists, among them the great James McMillan who we had the pleasure of visiting with last year, as well as up and coming artists Charles E. Williams, Stephen Hayes, and Steven Cozart. To say it was an enlightening experience […]