MS01.03.03 - Box 01 - Folder 01 - Amistad II - Art Caravan Correspondence, 1973-1974, Part 1

July 22, 1974

Mrs. Jacob Lawrence [Redacted info]

Dear Gwen:

I hope that your work is going well and that you will allow me to prevail upon you for service on the Advisory Board of the Amistad Art Project.

We anticipate having the Project ready for circulation in the fall of 1975 but will need your expert advice in bringing it into being. A brief description follows:

The Amistad Art Project was organized on June 19, 1973 by art consultants from the United Church of Christ and representatives from the Art Departments of Fisk and Dillard universities, LeMoyneOwen, Houston-Tillotson, Talladega and Tougaloo colleges as a special Bicentennial contribution from the American Missionary Association. Plans are underway to organize and mount a small but comprehensive exhibition which will give a concise picture of the Black man's contribution to the Visual Arts from colonial times into this decade. However, major emphasis will be placed on the cultural contributions of the twentieth century. A great portion of the project has already been funded. We expect to borrow major works by outstanding artists of African descent from major museums and educational institutions and mount them in a mobile unit which will serve as an exhibition hall and stage for performances in the related arts traveling to many towns and villages where art treasures such as those suggested here are rarely seen.

I hope that you will consent to serve on the Advisory Board of this worthwhile project as I do not see the task to be an arduous one since the committee will not meet more than once a year. Your expenses

Mrs. Jacob Lawrence July 22, 1974 Page 2

of attending such meetings will be paid by the Amistad Art Project.

As soon as you consent to serve with us, we will be printing new letterhead inclusive of your name renaming the Project AMISTAD, II.

I am certain that you are familiar with the Amistad story of the 1830's which eventually led to the founding of the American Missionary Association and the six related Black colleges I mentioned ear lier. We think that AMISTAD, II will be a vital contribution to the American Bicentennial and hope that you will help by serving on the Advisory Board.

Best wishes for a very restful summer.

Very sincerely yours,

David C. Driskell Director

DCD/fsv

July 22, 1974

Mrs. Alex Bontemps [INFO REDACTED]

Dear Jackie:

I hope that your work is going well and that you will allow me to prevail upon you for service on the Advisory Board of the Amistad Art Project.

We anticipate having the Project ready for circulation in the fall of 1975 but will need your expert advice in bringing it into being. A brief description follows:

The Amistad Art Project was organized on June 19, 1973 by art consultants from the United Church of Christ and representatives from the Art Departments of Fisk and Dillard universities, LeMoyne-Owen, Houston-Tillotson, Talladega and Tougaloo colleges as a special Bicentennial contribution from the American Missionary Association. Plans are underway to organize and mount a small but comprehensive exhibition which will give a concise picture of the Black man's contribution to the visual arts from colonial times into this decade. However, major emphasis will be placed on the cultural contributions of the twentieth century. A great portion of the project has already been funded. We expect to borrow major works by outstanding artists of African descent from major museums and educational institutions and mount them in a mobile unit which will serve as an exhibition hall and stage for performances in the related arts traveling to many towns and villages where art treasures such as those suggested here are rarely seen.

I hope that you will consent to serve on the Advisory Board of this worthwhile project as I do not see the task to be an arduous one since the committee will not meet more than once a year. Your expenses of

Mrs Alex Bontemps July 22, 1974 Page 2

attending such meetings will be paid by the Amistad Art Project.

As soon as you consent to serve with us, we will be printing new letterhead inclusive of your name renaming the Project AMISTAD, II.

I am certain that you are familiar with the Amistad story of the 1830's which eventually led to the founding of the American Missionary Association and the six related Black colleges I mentioned earlier. We think that AMISTAD, II will be a vital contribution to the American Bicentennial and hope that you will help by serving on the Advisory Board.

Best wishes for a restful summer.

Very sincerely yours, /S/ David C. Driskell Director

DCD/fsv

July 22, 1974

Dr. Vada E. Butcher, Dean College of Fine Arts Howard University Washington, D. C. 20001

Dear Vada:

I hope that your work is going well and that you will allow me to prevail upon you for service on the Advisory Board of the Amistad Art Project.

We anticipate having the Project ready for circulation in the fall of 1975 but will need your expert advice in bringing it into being. A brief description follows:

The Amistad Art Project was organized on June 19, 1973 by art consultants from the United Church of Christ and representatives from the Art Departments of Fisk and Dillard universities, LeMoyne-Owen, Houston-Tillotson, Talladega and Tougaloo colleges as a special Bicentennial contribution from the American Missionary Association. Plans are underway to organize and mount a small but comprehensive exhibition which will give a concise picture of the Black man's contribution to the Visual Arts from colonial times into this decade. However, major emphasis will be placed on the cultural contributions of the twentieth century, A great portion of the project has already been funded. We expect to borrow major works by outstanding artists of African descent from major museums and educational institutions and mount them in a mobile unit which will serve as an exhibition hall and stage for performances in the related arts traveling to many towns and villages where art treasures such as those suggested here are rarely seen.

I hope that you will consent to serve on the Advisory Board of this worthwhile project as I do not see the task to be an arduous one since the committee will not meet more than once a year. Your expenses