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Anacostia Community Museum Archives
Barnett-Aden Collection Exhibition records, 1974
Summary
- Collection ID:
- ACMA.03-010
- Creators:
-
Barnett-Aden GallerySmithsonian Institution. Anacostia Community MuseumAden, Alonzo J., 1906-1963Herring, James V. (James Vernon)
- Dates:
-
1973-1975
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
6.61 Linear feet2 boxes, 1 oversize box, 1 binder; 2 slide boxes, 1 oversize folder
- Repository:
This exhibition, organized by the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (now the Anacostia Community Museum), was held from January 20 to May 6, 1974, and subsequently traveled to the Corcoran Gallery of Art from January 10 to February 1975. The catalog and associated exhibition provide a comprehensive view of the planning, organization, and promotion of them both. They include correspondence, research files, administrative records, press coverage, educational materials, and photographs. Collectively, these materials offer an in-depth look at the complexities and collaborative efforts involved in presenting the Barnett-Aden Collection of work.
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
This collection includes draft pages, revisions, and mockups that illustrate the iterative process of book creation, with Box 3 specifically featuring mockups for catalog publication accompanied by a memorandum. It also encompasses documentation related to exhibit planning, such as meeting notes, press releases, artifact lists, condition reports, and presentation notes for slide shows. Additionally, the series contains photographic materials, including prints of the artwork displayed in the exhibit, as well as images capturing the exhibition layouts and the opening reception.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into three main categories:
Series 1: Catalog
Series 2: Exhibit Files
Series 3: Photographic Material
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
The Barnett-Aden exhibition included selected works from the Barnett-Aden Gallery which closed in 1969. The Barnett- Aden Gallery, suggested to be the first African American privately-owned gallery in the U.S., open its doors on October 16, 1943. The gallery was founded by artist and scholar James V. Herring alongside his partner, curator Alonzo Aden. The gallery was housed in a private home that they shared, located at 127 Randolph Street NW in Washington, DC. These men aimed to create an art gallery that provided a venue for underrepresented artists of all races and genres. It was this partnership that laid the foundation for the shift in African American representation in modern art. Aden stated that the gallery's aim was to help foster new talent while also bringing "art of superior quality" to the community. Throughout this history, the gallery held almost 200 exhibitions and showcased the work of over 400 artists. In 2015, selected works were donated from the gallery connection to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to preserve the legacy of the Barnett-Aden Gallery and the tireless work of James V. Herring and Alonzo Aden for generations to come.
Administration
Author
Carrie Gehrer created original finding aid. Revised finding aid created by Britney Crawford in 2024.
Processing Information
Collection level record created in 2022 by Carrie Gehrer. The collection was processed by Britney Crawford in August 2024.
Digital Content
Using the Collection
Preferred Citation note
Barnett-Aden Collection Exhibition Records, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Preferred Citation
The Barnett-Aden Collection, Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution
More Information
Featured Artwork and Artist
Featured Artwork and Artist
These selected works of art were featured in the exhibition Barnett-Aden Collection: 100 Years of Multi-Ethnic Art:
Walking Home, Laytonsville, Maryland, Alice Stanley Acheson
The President's House (Howard University), Frank Alston, Jr.
Landscape, 1989, Edward M. Bannister
Paris Evening, 1883, James MacDonald Barnsley
Brother Gardner, 1881, Barse, Jr.
War and Poor Thirsty Souls, 1946, Romare Bearden
Cockfight, 1950, Wilson Bigaud
Manda and Sharecroppers, John Biggers
Guitar Player, Teodoro Ramos Blanco
High Noon, Mimi Dubois Bolton
Five Figures, Donald A. Brown
The Twins, 1945, Samuel J. Brown
Portrait of Mr. James V. Herring, Frederick Campbell
Negro Woman and Pensive Portrait, 1945, Elizabeth Catlett
Negro Woman, 1943, Tony Cornetti
Eva, Man Smoking, and Head and Torso, Eldzier Cortor
Mamloi, Harold Cousins
In the Rooms, Bernice Cross
Alta, Aaron Douglas
Tondo, David C. Driskell
Negro Woman, 1934, Augustus Dunbier
Crucifixion, 1969, Adolphus Ealey
Meditation, Spring Forest, and Three Old Women, Adolphus Ealey
African Family, D.M. Fagog
Checker Players and the The Couple, John Farrar
Grocery Boy and Guitar Player, John Farrar
Self Portrait and Mrs. Mitchell, 1944 , John Farrar
The Mourners and Self Portrait, 1941, Frederick Flemister
Head of Christ, Clare Fontanini
The Wood Gatherer, Michael J. Gallagher
Abstraction, Robert Gates
Warehouse, East River, R. Graves
The Cotton Picker, Robert Gwathmey
Trees , 1956, James V. Herring
The Flight og the Eyes, 1951, Harlan Jackson
Turkeys at Roost, Malvin Gray Johnson
Chalets and Farmer and and Wife, William H. Johnson
Going to Church and Three Girls Playing, William H. Johnson
Sunflowers, Green Apples and Grand Bois d'Illet, 1953, Lois Mailou Jones
Funerailles, Jasmin Joseph
St. Francis and the Bird , Joseph Kersey
Harlem Gothic, Joseph Lasker
Blind Flower Vendor, 1946, Jacob Lawrence
Hanging Cloth , 1954, Hughie Lee-Smith
Study in Blue and White, 1954, Norman Lewis
Wind and Ashes, 1938, Edward L. Loper, Jr.
Playground and The Argument,1940, Archibald J. Motley
Column of Fire and The Dancer, I. Rice Pereira
Flash Red Every Three Seconds,Jack Perlmutter
Scene, Charleston, South Carolina, Jack Perlmutter
South Federal Street, Chicago , 1942, Dan Polumbo
Man in White (Alonzo Aden) and Young Negro,1929,James A. Porter
Granny, Robinson
First Gallery,John Robinson
Self Portrait and Spring Landscape,John Robinson
Cabins, William E. Scott
Two Women,Charles Sebree
Study in Red, Merton Simpson
Laundress, Isaac Soyer
Spotlight on Houses,Theodoros Stamos
Matthew A. Henson, Celine Tabary
Flight Into Egypt, 1916, Henry O. Tanner
Georgetown Barge and Etude in Color, 1966,Alma W. Thomas
Study of a Young Girl and Still Life, 1923, Alma W. Thomas
Founders' Library (Howard University),Unknown Artist
Street Corner Discussion, Unknown Artist
Little Brown Girl, Laura Wheeler Waring
Naomi Barnett Aden, Laura Wheeler Waring
Portrait of Mr. Alonzo J. Aden,1947, Laura Wheeler Waring
Howard Hall, Howard University, 1941, Rena Arnold Watson
Georgetown,James L. Wells
Market Place and St. Francis and the Birds, James L. Wells
Head of a Man, Charles White
Flower Vendor and The Matriarch, Ellis Wilson
Negro Boy,Hale Woodruff
Keywords
Anacostia Community Museum Archives
1901 Fort Place, SE
Washington, D.C. 20020
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-4853
ACMArchives@si.edu
