Art Exhibits, Lectures, Performances Celebrate Black History Month at University of Arkansas

Feb. 14, 2005

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —Black History Month at the University of Arkansas is underway, with art and historical exhibits, dance performances, lectures and social gatherings that recognize the wide ranging roles African-Americans have played in U.S. history and the vibrancy and achievement of the community today.

“While the designation of a specific time reminds everyone to stop and reflect on the part African-Americans have played in this nation’s history, we also look forward to the day when our shared identity as a nation more comprehensively takes into account the diversity that make us a special community and a special country,” said Bob Smith, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “That diversity can and should be celebrated everyday. Nonetheless, I am so pleased to see the interest demonstrated by the entire campus community as we take time to commemorate Black History Month. So many campus departments — especially our libraries — are joining with the Multicultural Center, University Programs and Student Affairs to bring greater appreciation of and understanding to the numerous accomplishments of African-Americans throughout history and the context in which they were achieved.”

Much of the credit for establishing Black History Month is given to Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, an African-American scholar in the early 20th Century. Known for his dedication to bringing the roles and achievements of African-Americans into the recognized history of American life, Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History) in 1915. One year later, he founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History.

In 1926, with the help of fellow scholars, Woodson launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history.

Almost 50 years later, observance of Negro History Week was expanded from the second week in February to include the entire month. The result has since been known as Black History Month.

Included among the numerous events scheduled throughout the month at the U of A, an art exhibit features the work of John Biggers, founder of the art department at Texas Southern University in Houston (then called Texas State University for Negroes). The exhibit is currently on display at Mullins Library. The items shown are from the collection of Shirley and Lenthon Clark.

Also, a display of items from UA Special Collections, titled “Through Death, Hell and the Grave: Arkansas African-American Leaders Who Overcame,” is on display in the Helen Robson Walton Reading Room. The display features items highlighting African-American leadership in Arkansas from 1865 to the present.

The UA Multicultural Center is currently showcasing art from local and national artists celebrating Black history and the Civil Rights Movement in the Multicultural Center Art Gallery, located in the Arkansas Union, Room 404.

Below is a calendar of additional events celebrating 2005 Black History Month:

Feb. 15

NAACP Founder’s Day Banquet

7 p.m. — Alumni House

Contact Erica Harris at naacp@uark.edu

Ernest Obadele Starks — Texas A&M University

3 p.m. — “Slave Smuggling in Antebellum America”

Giffels Auditorium — Old Main

Contacts

Andy Mauk, interim associate director of UA Multicultural Center, (479) 575-2064, amauk@uark.edu

Charles Crowson, manager of media relations, University Relations, (479) 575-3583, ccrowso@uark.edu

Art Exhibits, Lectures, Performances Celebrate Black History Month at University of Arkansas

Contacts

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