David C. Driskell Papers

4.

9) John Burrison (Ga. State) has found another large vessell (?) by Dave - this one with a 4th of July message on it 10) names of people in Charleston, SG are enclosed - Rev Dash is the one with church that supposedly has African features and done in late 19th century - & wants to eventually turn it into a Museum 11) You are going to have to decide whether the Exhibit (?) will be using the stereoptic (?) pic from Lib of Congress & get them a letter if so 12) Also, you said you wanted to borrow the letter with "Am I not a man & bro." imprint from Lib Co. of Phillie (?) - you'll either have to write them you want it or write them you don't want it as I've already told them to expect something and it would be very tacky not to say something. 13) please add to & correct (?) the enclosed book list and send back to me.

Now about schedules - what is your schedule for June? We really do need to sit down together and go over materials for the show - We also still need to do some talking - I will take the blame for you not calling me

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back your last night in Nashville (I should have known what kind of dinner that was going to be from the people involved). - Anyway, I was thinking of making a pilgrimage there to Maine for a day or two towards the end of June. My roommate has to see someone in New Hampshire about his research and we could split expenses. STOP - fill in sheet and return in envelope provided.

(Did you remember to exchange that last Vicksbury (?) Court House pic in the catalog?)

When will the letters go out requesting use of photos for the exhibit? You told me this would be done - and I had relied on it as the way to determine exact identification & wording for labels.

I read through the latest African Arts (April '76) on Frauds & "Authentic" - you really should write a lengthy letter to the editor to them -

The Smithsonian Folk Life Festival (opening c. June 18) will have an African Diaspora section. - Don't know how good it is (though I suspect) but it will go on until Sept. 30.

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When will I get my copies of prints used in the LA exhibit?

Just in case you think I've lost my sense of humor, the May/June '76 Calendar/News of the Met in New York lists "Selection of 19th Cent. Afro-American Art Opening June 19, North Wing, 2nd flr." with an illus. of Tanner's "Banjo Lesson." Well... Easy, Steve

S./ Will BK'lyn (?) Museum have catalog on sale before June '77? P.S. I have some of the slides/pics etc on the LA bill (?) that I'll give you when I see you P.P.S. Don't forget to give me the political information on California (?) governor stand on the arts. P.P.S. Leslie King Hammond (Md. Inst. College of Art) (?) supposedly has examples of needlepoint done by slaves P.P.P.S. I also think the photos of artists & info should be in closer proximenty to actual painting (maybe in central kiosk-type arrangement) in each room so people can look [crossed out] back & forth at either & yet not be distracted. P.P.P.P.S. - the Smithsonian (?) Folk Life Festival Booklet from African Diaspora will have the John Vlach article on Phillip Simmons in it.

TO DO Exhibit 1

1) exact dates of exhibit at various spots 2) exact time catalog will be ready 3) when will I get my copies 4) what about loans not listed on sheet: a. Delilah Pierce Cox b. Young Hughely lamp c. Bascom (U of Cal) walking stick d. David Driskell African walking stick 5) exact photo budget for crafts & architecture 6) what do they want (negs, slides, color B/W), & what size print if people won't release negs? 7) Will we use any color pics in crafts/arch.? 8) Did you ever re-contact Gary Cole (NYC) about iron door knocker 9) send me info on iron-work to be included in exhibit 10) send me Talledega info & pics to be included 11) press LA to bring me out in July and September 12) when are you going to Charleston? 13) Don't forget my 2 small baskets - 14) What's the latest with Herbert DeCosta? 15) send me list of pics used in catalog, catalog Chapter on crafts/arch so I can go over for mistakes 16) send list of pics have for exhibit. 17) sample loan form - send me

TO DO Exhibit 2

18) make sure last Vicksbury (?) Court House pic I gave you is exchanged for other pic in catalog 19) get stereoptic (?) 20) write letter to Lib. of Congress to borrow stereoptic pic of "Negro Building" 21) write letter to Lib. Co. of Phillie telling whether still want to borrow letter with printed "Am I Not Man & Bro." from 19th Cent. 22) Contact LA Museum about bringing me out in July and September, though they are 2 separate issues.

TO DO Misc. 1 1) send me Herring article on Black Craftsmen 2) zerox into on Akan drum in British Museum 3) have you found an extra Bowdoin catalog? 4) Deaccession (?) W.H. Johnson pic 5) send me copy of info on Fisk ironwork 6) contract for me as Special Exhibitions Curator 7) send me zerox of "Negro Silversmith" article 8) correct and add to booklist for me on Aesthetics 9) send me copies of all African comparison pics used for exhibit 10) contact Amistad II people in New York about check for Ben

5-9-77 (the new) Dr. David - Trying hard to regain my efficiency rating (what kind of competition do I have?) Enclosed is the requested list for the BK'lyn Museum opening. Since you didn't specify any limits, I have included 5 lists of 10 names each (50 people total). They are in order of importance (page one most important, and on down). the first page is definite invites; the second is "it would be nice to have them"; the 3rd, 4th, &5th are mainly pro forma & I'm sure most of them wouldn't come anyway, and a notice of the show would really be sufficient. I assume that all lenders automatically get invitations. Let me know how many of mine will get invited. Also, don't forget to put my name on the list of invited. Baring death or ignorance, I should be on time. Glady-Marie Fry you will learn is strange like that - likes to try & ingratiate herself among company she feels she should be in. Too bad, there's not more substance there. I look forward to finally receiving (?) things from you, esp my catalogs & zeroxes. You know I hate drawing obligations out.

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been done before but never seriously or well. You'd be foolish in my opinion to vote funding to his exhibit to help him solidify his hold on Afro-American material culture - & not because I'm not involved (though he has never contacted me as he promised he would). but because even though he is a solid, thorough academic, his analysis is off and yet he's getting all the play right now (swing 5-10 lectures/month all over the country on the Shotgun house and this exhibit) publishing in every magazine & journal he can). He's the new enfant terrible & I resent the way whites always help one of their own doninate an aspect of Black Culture studies. I guess I just feel the frustration of powerlessness. And as usual, I'm enl (?) ... Also enclosed is some "Black Art history" info I came across. Should be self-explanatory. Please add to your written list of things to send me the following: "already promised" items. 1) John Vlach proposal to Endowment (?) (if different from one I'm sending you) 2) Your arts suggestions to Jimmy Carter

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Some quick dirt - while in Boston Byron Rushing told me Courtney Callendar has resigned as Director of Studio Museum - for the usual reason - an overly dominant Board of Directors. Since you've been involved with them you ought to check it out and let your position be known in writing to the Board. Also Byron & your buddy Barry Gaither (?) are still conniving & scheming - now to try & take over the Black Museum Conference (?) within Margaret Burroughs' framework (since they Couldn't do it outside of it). So we'll see what happens at the 1st national meeting of Black Museum people in late summer, early fall 77. I'm trying to finish a major paper on Free Black Craftpersons in Charleston SC 1830-60s Which I hope to get published this summer. Good to hear from you finally & "Keep in touch" soon. S. P.S. I'm writing BK'lyn Mueseum offering to lecture for a fee at the opening (& NO mention of your name). P.P.S. The Van Sertima letter is for you to read & pass on should you see fit

3-14-79 Hey David - Here are the things for you finally. Greg Peniston's article is from a quarterly put out by the Black Studies Program at Washington State Univ. (Pullman 99164) - He sent me a copy of his letter to you - (he hates writing those kind of letters): any chance of action through the Provost? The Ala Black sites listing I promised is included along with misc other things. Margaret B.'s very proud of her "sculpture garden" in front of the Museum. What do you think? - a priest sent me the Bishop catalog (I thought you should already have it as your m (?) is shown, - but just in case...) Oceanic Primitive Arts is by far the best bookstore I've ever been in for African (& Afro-American) Art books - though not limited to that continent, they stock both in print & rare out of print African things for collectors & scholars, & invite you to browse. Prices are publishers list but 10% discount on orders over $100. & if they mail you one item [arrow] the landmarks Foundation is where all the different house types are located.