On view at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, DE, from January 27 through May 19, 2024<\/em><\/p>\n Among James E. Newton\u2019s many titles are artist, scholar, educator and the first African American to graduate with a Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n In this exhibition, visitors will discover Newton\u2019s early works, which range from his time as a graduate student at UNC Chapel Hill to his exploration of abstraction and emergence of figuration throughout the 1970s. His vibrant compositions explore social justice and American history and will prompt visitors to do the same.<\/p>\n The exhibition is co-curated by Delaware Art Museum\u2019s Rachel Ciampoli, the 2023 Alfred Appel Jr. Curatorial Fellow, and Winslow. Ciampoli is a doctoral student in the Department of Art and Art History at UNC Chapel Hill.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Artistic Legacy of James E. Newton: Heritage and Character Portraits\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n On view in Mechanical Hall Gallery at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE, from February 6 through May 16, 2024<\/em><\/p>\n Humor and history were key components to James E. Newton\u2019s artistic process. While wit was important to his work, it never interrupted the artwork\u2019s gravitas.<\/p>\n In this exhibition, visitors will get a closer look at Newton\u2019s drawings, collages and prints to discover the many faces \u2013 from those of jazz musicians to animals to himself \u2013 he used to explore character and personality. Through these artworks, visitors will delve into the importance of African American heritage, community and culture in his work.<\/p>\n The exhibition is co-curated by Carolyn Hauk, graduate research assistant to the Museums and doctoral student in the Department of Art History at UD, and Amanda T. Zehnder, chief curator and head of Museums at the UD Library, Museums and Press.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Artistic Legacy of James E. Newton: The Archival Record<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n On view in Morris Library at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE, from February 6 through August 23, 2024<\/em><\/p>\n James E. Newton believed that art, education, mentorship and community could change the world for the better.<\/p>\n In this exhibition, visitors will explore how Newton lived his life building communities and changing the lives of those around him. Through artwork, photographs, articles, ephemera and other materials in Newton\u2019s papers at the UD Library, Museums and Press, visitors will gain insights into his artistic output, his work as an educator in the community and at the University, and his commitment to collecting and sharing Black history.<\/p>\n This exhibition is curated by Demetra McBrayer, a doctoral student in the Department of English at UD. McBrayer\u2019s research and curatorial work was supported by the Paul R. Jones Initiative.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Related programming<\/a> will be held at both the Delaware Art Museum and the University of Delaware\u2019s Newark campus while the exhibitions are on view. Events will include talks with curators, scholarly lectures and poetry readings. These events are open to the public. For more information on upcoming programs, visit our Events Calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n After Midnight<\/em>, 2008. James E. Newton (1941\u20132022). Ink and acrylic on pressed paper board, 16 x 12 inches. Private Collection. \u00a9 Estate of James E. Newton.<\/p><\/div>\n \u201cIt is an honor to be part of this broad effort to commemorate the legacy of James E. Newton,\u201d said Zehnder. \u201cIt feels especially important to be celebrating James E. Newton\u2019s career as an artist here at the University of Delaware, an institution where he had such a profound impact as the founding director of Black American Studies and as a mentor and inspiration to so many students and colleagues over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n The Delaware Art Museum and the University of Delaware have long collaborated to enhance awareness of, and accessibility to, the visual arts and the creativity of artists. In spring 2023, both institutions signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding that outlines high-level mutually agreed upon principles for the Delaware Art Museum and the University of Delaware to further their discussions surrounding a deeper and more formalized collaboration to advance their missions. The collaboration, which is overseen by a committee of representatives from each organization, intends to increase student opportunities, expand exhibition and collection collaboration, deepen joint community engagement initiatives, and increase the public\u2019s awareness of the Delaware Art Museum and the University of Delaware\u2019s rich offerings.<\/p>\n For more information on the upcoming exhibitions, please contact Amelia Wiggins, director of advancement and external affairs at the Delaware Art Museum, at awiggins@delart.org<\/a> or Allison Ebner, communication specialist at the UD Library, Museums and Press, at aebner@udel.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n IF YOU GO<\/strong><\/p>\n WHAT: The Artistic Legacy of James E. Newton: Poetic Roots<\/em> <\/p>\n WHAT: The Artistic Legacy of James E. Newton: Heritage and Character Portraits<\/em> <\/p>\n![\"Artwork](\"https:\/\/library.udel.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2024\/01\/Newton_Musicians_Wordpress_InsertImage_310x419-222x300.jpg\")
\nWHEN: January 27 – May 19, 2024
\nWHERE: Delaware Art Museum
\nCOST: Free after admission; tickets available at delart.org
\nINFO: delart.org\/event\/james-e-newton\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWHEN: February 6 – May 16, 2024
\nWHERE: University of Delaware\u2019s Mechanical Hall Gallery
\nCOST: Free
\nINFO: https:\/\/exhibitions.lib.udel.edu\/artistic-legacy-james-e-newton-heritage-character-portraits\/<\/a><\/p>\n