Sophia Guerrier
A&E Editor
Linden Place Mansion is celebrating black history month with an educational virtual lecture series exploring African-American art of the 20th century. The three-part series will examine the lives and works of monumental African-American artists including Horace Pippin, Elizabeth Catlett, Jean-Michel Basquiat and more.
With over 30 years of experience in adult education, artist and Rhode Island College alumni, Suzanne Lewis, will be leading the lectures. Lewis’ possesses a degree in Art of Teaching and earned a Certificate in Drawing and Painting Studies from Rhode Island School of Design. In addition to diving into the creative fundamentals of the artists, related matters such as racism, civil rights and culture will be incorporated into the greater discussion of their works.
20th-century art underwent a transformation that was fueled by the significant social and political movements in America. During the period of the Civil Rights movement and the Harlem Renaissance, African-American artists found inspiration that conceived passionate works like Pippen’s The Trial of John Brown (1942). During this period, African-American art depicted an alternate America that featured economic oppression and social injustice but also proud African heritage and the celebration of Jazz music.
Linden Place Mansion was not always a historical museum. Before its fate of becoming a house of historical preservation, it was one of the most prosperous slave-trading manors in New England. First owned by slave-trader General George Dewolf, the 1.8-acre mansion was built in 1810 and is now preserved in Bristol, RI for its acclaimed architecture along with the exploitative history it comes with.
On Feb. 22, Mar. 1, and Mar. 8, guests can celebrate the significant contributions of African-Americans virtually for $20 and a discount of $15 for Linden Place and Portsmouth Art Guild members.
Registration can be found on the Linden Place website.