Jacob Lawrence: The Legend of John Brown
from Washington's State Art Collection
The Washington State Arts Commission has partnered with the Archer
Gallery at Clark College to present The Legend of John Brown, a suite
of 22 screen prints created in 1977 by renowned African American
artist Jacob Lawrence. The exhibition is drawn from Washington�s
State Art Collection. A series of public activities and educational events
will accompany the exhibition while it is on view at the Archer Gallery.
Where: Archer Gallery, Clark College
Penguin Student Union (PSU)
1933 Fort Vancouver Way,
Vancouver, WA 98663
(360) 992-2246 or
www.clark.edu
for information and directions
When: April 3 – 29, 2007
| Gallery Hours:
|
Tuesday � Thursday, 9 a.m. � 8 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. � 4 p.m.
Sat. & Sun., 1 � 5 p.m.
|
�The Legend of John Brown is being presented in Vancouver, WA as part of our ongoing effort to bring outstanding
cultural resources to citizens across the state,� said Kris Tucker, Executive Director
of the Washington Sate Arts Commission. The exhibition is organized by the Washington
State Arts Commission and made possible with generous support from the American Masterpieces
Program of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Western States Arts Federation.
The exhibition and all associated events are open to the public and presented free
of charge.
 The Legend of John Brown depicts the dramatic moral choices and life events of famed abolitionist John Brown,
who, in the mid-1850�s, organized covert attacks to liberate slaves from southern
plantations, and led antislavery troops in an effort to keep Kansas a free state.
The series begins with Brown�s decision to become an activist, depicts his struggle
as an organizer and strategist, and ends with his capture, conviction and execution
for treason in the winter of 1859.
With vibrant color, narrative precision and powerful graphic imagery, The Legend of John Brown represents both Jacob Lawrence�s outstanding creative talents, and his dedication
to the ongoing struggle for justice in American life. The exhibition offers an opportunity
to explore a critical moment in our nation�s history and to examine the vital role
of art and artists in interpreting and disseminating that history.
For further background on this artist go to www.arts.wa.gov
| Associated Events: |
| April 3 & 26 |
Film Event: noon
Penguin Student Lounge
|
| April 10 |
Reception: 6 pm
Archer Gallery
Lecture by Susan Platt, Ph.D : 7 pm
Penguin Student Lounge
Susan Platt will present a public lecture with visuals on Jacob Lawrence and his
series �The Legend of John Brown.� A one-hour reception will precede the
lecture in the Archer Gallery.
Susan Platt is a freelance writer, art critic, curator and art historian based in
Seattle since 1998. She was a tenured art historian with a specialty in contemporary
art at the University of North Texas, Denton, for eight years. Since coming to the
Northwest, she has taught primarily at the University of Washington, as well
as at The Evergreen State College and Seattle Central Community College. Her
most recent book is Art and Politics in the 1930�s (Midmarch Arts Press, 1999). She writes for Sculpture Magazine and as a contributing
editor for Art Papers Magazine based in Atlanta.
|
| April 12 |
Lecture and Reading by Pancho Savery, Ph.D : noon
Penguin Student Lounge
This public event will focus on writers of the Harlem Renaissance. After a historical
introduction, Dr. Savery will read a selection of prose and poetry from selected
writers of the Harlem Renaissance.
Pancho Savery is a Professor of English, Humanities, and American Studies at Reed
College, Portland, OR, teaching courses in African American and American
Indian literature, modern and contemporary drama and poetry, and modern fiction since
1995. He previously taught at the University of Massachusetts/Boston. His
publications include Approaches to Teaching Ellison�s Invisible Man, numerous essays, and personal poetry.
|
| All events are free and open to the public.
|
Image Captions:
No. 6 (top):
Jacob Lawrence, John Brown formed an organization among the colored people of the
Adirondack woods to resist the capture of any fugitive slave, No. 6 in the series
The Legend of John Brown, 1977. Screen print, 25 7/8 x 20 inches. Washington State
Arts Commission.
No. 15 (bottom):
Jacob Lawrence, John Brown made many trips to Canada organizing for his assault on
Harpers Ferry, No. 15 in the series The Legend of John Brown, 1977. Screen print,
25 7/8 x 20 inches. Washington State Arts Commission.
For further information or visuals, please contact Marjorie Hirsch, Gallery Director,
at (360) 992-2701
or mhirsch@clark.edu
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution
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