Celebrating Creative Genius
The Art, Life, and Legacy of Eatonton, GA Native David Driskell
The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art is pleased to present the special exhibition “Celebrating Creative Genius: The Art, Life and Legacy of Eatonton, Georgia Native David Driskell.” Opening February 11, 2021 through April 17, 2021, the exhibition features original artworks and prints by David Driskell, Steffen Thomas, and local students who participated in a Driskell-inspired competition.
We invite all to join us in celebrating the life of David Driskell, whose impact extended across the world but whose beginnings were here in Middle Georgia.
This exhibition was made possible by the generous support of the Brenda and Larry Thompson Collection of African American Art, the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the September Gray Fine Art Gallery.
About David Driskell
David Driskell in Studio, 1966. Image courtesy of David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, College Park
David C. Driskell (1931-2020) was a prolific artist, scholar, curator and Putnam County native. In addition to his own impressive career as a multimedia artist and printmaker, Driskell is revered for his role in uplifting artists of color and developing African-American Art as a distinct field of study. He curated countless exhibitions, authored seven books, and served as a professor of art at multiple colleges and universities until his retirement in 2019.
Such was his impact on American Art that he was honored in 2001 with the creation of The David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora at the University of Maryland, College Park. The High Museum of Art created the Driskell Prize in 2005 honoring significant contributions to the field of African American Art.
Student Art Inspired by David Driskell
The Exhibition also includes a special component for local students of all grade levels. Students nominated by area art teachers will create original mixed media artwork inspired by Driskell’s artistic style and legacy.
Cash prizes will be awarded at the elementary, middle school and high school levels in three categories – Best Overall Artwork, Best Written Artist Statement, and Best Use of Line and Color in an Artwork – to encourage development in creative skills, writing and arts interpretation. Selected works by the students (seen below) are on display in the West Gallery of the Museum along with works by David Driskell and Steffen Thomas.
Congratulations to the category winners, and thank you to all of the students who created and submitted artwork!
Best Overall Artworks
Judge: September Gray, owner and Director of the September Gray Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta.
Best Written Artist Statements
Judge: Dr. Leara Rhodes, Associate Professor Emeritus, UGA Grady School of Journalism
The artist statements for the middle school category were so well written that our judge actually selected two winners.
Best Uses of Line and Color in Artwork
Judges: STMA staff (Lisa Conner, Pam Tomany, Catherine Allen, Lilly McEachern)
Thank you to all of the teachers and students from Putnam County Elementary School, Morgan County Middle School, Indian Creek Middle School, Putnam County High School, and Morgan County High School who participated in this exhibition.
See More David Driskell Exhibitions in Georgia
Other area institutions honoring Driskell this year include the High Museum of Art and September Gray Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. Please see their websites for exhibition dates and hours of operation:
THANK YOU SPONSORS:
