A Tribute to David C. Driskell

John Wilmerding Symposium on American Art

The fourth annual John Wilmerding Symposium on American Art honors the legacy of David C. Driskell (1931–2020), one of the world’s leading authorities on African American art, who passed away at age 88 from complications of COVID-19 on April 1. Held in partnership with 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, and Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, the tribute honors his contribution as a distinguished university professor emeritus of art, and as an artist, art historian, collector, curator, and philanthropist.

Held in conjunction with the exhibitions Trees by David C. Driskell and David C. Driskell Papers (September 8–November 20, 2020) at the Driskell Center.

Made possible by a grant from the Alice L. Walton Foundation.

An Interactive Tribute | September 12–17, 2020

Photograph by Carol Harrison

Online Event
Live Artist Conversation
September 17, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy introductory remarks from Kaywin Feldman and Lonnie G. Bunch III; a conversation with artists Lyle Ashton Harris, Curlee Raven Holton, Keith Morrison, Mary Lovelace O’Neal, Jefferson Pinder, Frank Stewart, and Carrie Mae Weems, moderated by Sarah Workneh; and Q&A joined by scholars Valerie Cassel Oliver, Julie L. McGee, and Alvia J. Wardlaw, who prerecorded symposium tributes.

Recording available on YouTube.

Reflect on New Insights on Dr. Driskell’s Legacy

Dr. Driskell dedicated much of his career to the works of others. The virtual symposium features the videos below that engage the audience to consider the aspects of Dr. Driskell’s career that have not been generally discussed or published.

"Joy Cometh in the Morning"

Julie L. McGee presents this keynote address on Driskell’s creative artistry, the interconnection between the natural world and human creation, and the divinity of artistic expression.

The Cultural Cartographer: The Invaluable Art Roadmaps of David C. Driskell

Alvia J. Wardlaw discusses Driskell's awareness of the importance of each moment, past and present, as a means of forging new paths and discoveries, creating roadmaps for those that follow.

Studio Visit

This behind-the-scenes visit with Curlee Raven Holton, Driskell’s master printer for decades, reveals their collaborative process in making Brown Derby and Woman in Interior, both in the Gallery’s collection.

Torchbearer of a Legacy

Valerie Cassel Oliver considers Driskell’s career from his early days at Howard University and the impact of his work on future generations of artists and scholars.

Writing Salon Collaboration

Read poems reflecting on Driskell’s work that were created by participants in the Gallery’s virtual Writing Salon program.

“A Tribute to David C. Driskell” Presenters

On September 17 at 6:00 p.m., the Gallery hosted a live webinar with introductory remarks by National Gallery of Art Director Kaywin Feldman and Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; a moderated artist panel; and Q&A joined by scholars Valerie Cassel Oliver, Julie L. McGee, and Alvia J. Wardlaw, who prerecorded symposium tributes.

Lonnie G. Bunch III
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and National Gallery of Art Trustee

Photograph by Michael Barnes, Smithsonian Institution

Valerie Cassel Oliver
Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and David C. Driskell Prize recipient (2011)

Courtesy the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Photograph by Travis Fullerton

Lyle Ashton Harris
Artist; professor of art and art education, New York University, and David C. Driskell Prize recipient (2014)

Photograph by John Edmonds

Curlee Raven Holton
Artist, art historian, master printmaker, David M. and Linda Roth Professor of Art Emeritus, and director (2012–present), 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

Photograph by Jase Clark

Julie L. McGee
Associate professor of Africana studies and art history, and director, Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Center at the University of Delaware; author of David C. Driskell: Artist and Scholar; and curator of David Driskell: Icons of Nature and History (High Museum of Art, February 6–May 9, 2021; Portland Museum of Art, June 19–September 12, 2021; and The Phillips Collection, October 16, 2021–January 9, 2022)

Photograph by Kathy F. Atkinson | University of Delaware

Keith Morrison
Artist, art educator, curator, art critic, administrator, and former dean and professor emeritus of painting, Tyler School of Art & Architecture, Temple University

Photograph by Sam Fritch

Mary Lovelace O’Neal
Artist; professor emerita, department of art practice, University of California, Berkeley

Photograph courtesy of the artist

Jefferson Pinder
Artist; professor of sculpture and director of academic affairs for diversity, equity, and inclusion, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; and Fellowship Recipient in Art from the David C. Driskell Center (2002–2003)

Photograph by Luis Acosta Tejada

Frank Stewart
Artist and senior staff photographer, Jazz at Lincoln Center

Alvia J. Wardlaw
Professor of art history, department of visual and performing arts, and curator and director of the University Museum, Texas Southern University

Photograph by Earlie Hudnall, Jr.

Carrie Mae Weems
Artist, and University Artist in Residence, Syracuse University

Photograph by Rolex Audoin Desforges

Sarah Workneh
Co-director, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture

Photograph by Elle Pérez

A Tribute to David C. Driskell

John Wilmerding Symposium on American Art

An Interactive Tribute | September 12–17, 2020