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MS01.05.00.B07.F12.0045
May 29, 1972 Dear David Driskell: It was good to recieve [sic] your letter of May 25. The paintings have returned, but I regret to say that there was a little damage. The side of each crate had been broken and an American representative made note of this before we left the airport. After I opened the shipment I found one painting in bad condition and some frames broken. Obviously, it could have been much more severe. I've contacted the airlines and I expect to have an inspector come out and look, then I'll make a report to the New York office. I don't want you to be concerned about this, but off hand if you have any suggestion please let me know. Perhaps you will know what I can expect. Glad you recieved [sic] the African American Curriculum. My wife has raw material to carry this material on through the Community College level. In the meantime we hope that Black people will have the courage to try to implement the present ideas from a Black perspective. I am pleased to hear of the quality of the student show and I'll be happy to recieve [sic] slides of their work. It is good that more of your trip will be spent in Africa? Regards to all. Sincerely, Claude
MS01.05.00.B07.F12.0047
July 10, 1972 Dear Brother Driskell: It was quite a surprise to hear from you from Maine, but we're glad that you have good neighbors. Hope that they didn't break anything when they packed since they must have done it hurridly[sic]. We must do some remodeling on our place and some of it must be done this summer. As an artist I'd rather wish it all away, but my wife insists on certain projects that must be completed while we still can expect or depend on an income. What I dread most is having to pack away certain materials that I may need when the building gets underway. I've gotten some painting started, and frankly don't expect to get too much done this summer. Whatever I do will probably be completed in July. My son and I are also attempting to revise A Black Art Perspective, and I'll give as much attention as possible to the remodeling in August. We have already begun action on the damages done by the American Airlines shipment. It is interesting that they had noted the damage to the crates at the airport. When I opened the large crate one painting (on wood) was split completely, a couple were scratched and some frames were broken. An inspector came and made photographs, and felt that there should be no difficulty in collecting for shipping damages. I didn't know exactly when you were leaving for Africa, but I hope that you do get more creative work done before you leave. Alice sends regards she is trying to get some research done here before returning to Fisk. Regards to Mrs. Driskell and the three "D" in your house. Best wishes. Sincerely, Claude
MS01.05.00.B07.F12.0052
June 21, 1973 Dear Friends: It has been a full year since I've seen either of you, and almost that long since I have recieved [sic] any word from David. It has been a rough and busy year for me and I know that the Driskells have been busy. I learned that David was in Maine at Bowain College. Alice tells me that the Driskells are probably vacationing in Maine this summer. I've wondered all year about the Status of the William H. Johnson show in Africa and Europe. Is the show still abroad, and will there be material available related to the event? To my knowledge this marks the first African American traveling exhibition -- one man show with a Black curator who could identify with the life of the artist and his contribution. I got a letter from Betty Cattell before and after she visited Fisk. She was certainly happy that you invited her. I am sure that she found much in the way of Nostalgia among Fisk colleagues who had a common bond with the Howard U. Art Dept. Looking forward to the N.C.A. Conference to be held at Fisk in 1974, I would like to be considered for a panel or a workshop. I am facing the reality now that I may be allowed only about 7 more years as an educator before forced retirement. There is much that I want to do experimenting as a painter. If you're too busy to write -- just say hello. Best wishes. Sincerely, Claude (over)
MS01.05.00.B07.F12.0053
P.S. - You must have had a hand in the honor recieved (received) by A. Douglass Alice may be working in the Nashville area in the Fall. Our children thoroughly enjoyed themselves in your home. Obviously your grandson is still the Boss. Have a pleasant summer. C.C.
MS01.05.00.B07.F12.0061
January 23, 1974 Dear Brother Driskell: My wife and I were certainly flattered that you were able to spend some time with us while you were in the Bay Area. I hope that your sessions with the United Church of Christ were fruitful beyond a brain picking experience. Don't forget you are going to send me a tape. I am looking forward to a meeting with artists at Fisk from the Negro Renaissance and the Federal Art Project periods. The copy of a short note that I recieved [sic] from the Late Francis Henry Taylor former director of the Met (said to be the largest art museum in the world) is inclosed [sic] to suggest that the story behind this note is Black Art History. Taylor wrote to me after I demanded an answer. It is frightening to realize the pressure we had created with the help of some of the most prominent persons in America including Albert Coombs Barnes. Consider, we collapsed an Art Festival at the University of Alabama long before Autherine Lucy, and more than six (6) years before Martin Luther King cut loose in Montgomery. From time to time I can send you more documents behind the note. Letters from Barnes and in another sense from Brady (MBB) would fill volumes. Below are some names of artists that you may consider inviting to Fisk for the Conference: Richard Barthe Selma Burke Lois Jones - Pierre Noel Allan Rohan Crite Aaron Douglas Hale Woodruf Rex Gorleigh Elton C. Fox Eugene Grisby Ellis Wilson Claude Clark Charles White Elizabeth Catlett Jacob Lawrence Romare Bearden (over)