“Expanding Tradition: Selections from the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection”

Mildred Thompson, Open Window Series V, 1977

Opening this Saturday, “Expanding Tradition: Selections from the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection” is the highly anticipated showcase of over 50 works by artists in the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection of African American Art and celebrates the inception of the Thompsons’ endowed curatorship, currently held by Dr. Shawnya L. Harris. “Expanding Tradition” builds upon the 2009 exhibition “Tradition Redefined: The Larry and Brenda Thompson Collection of African American Art,” organized by 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.

In 2011, the Thompsons donated 100 works of art to the Georgia Museum of Art, and this exhibition provides an overview of certain aspects of the Thompsons’ commitment to art collecting over the last several decades, in tandem with discussions about the shifting artistic and political landscape for African American artists found in their collection. Artists include contemporary artists such as Willie Cole, Whitfield Lovell, Kevin Cole and Kara Walker as well as historical artists such as Elizabeth Catlett, Charles Sebree, Beauford Delaney and Benny Andrews. Rare Great Depression–era works by Norman Lewis, Charles White, Dox Thrash and Rose Piper will also be exhibited.

Left to right: Larry D. Thompson, Shawnya L. Harris and Brenda A. Thompson

“Expanding Tradition: Selections from the Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Collection” is on view from January 28 to May 7, 2017. The accompanying catalogue, published by the museum, features a statement of the history and meaning of their many years of collecting as well as a lead essay by Harris, which provides a detailed survey of the artists in the exhibition.

Related events include:

90 Carlton: Winter, the museum’s quarterly reception (free for members of the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art, $5 non-members)
Friday, February 10 at 5:30 p.m.

Tour at Two with curator Shawnya Harris
Wednesday, February 15 at 2 p.m.

“Conversation on Collecting,” a discussion with the Thompsons and Curlee Raven Holton, executive director of the David C. Driskell Center
Thursday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m.

Black History Month Dinner ($55 members, $75 nonmembers)
Friday, February 24 at 6 p.m.

“Artful Conversation,” hosted in the galleries by assistant curator of education Sage Kincaid
Wednesday, March 22 at 2 p.m.

Artists’ Panel Discussion
Thursday, March 23, time TBA

Family Day
Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. to noon

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.