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 01/05/2006
The Walter O. Evans Foundation for Art and Literature and Dr. Walter O. Evans donate African-American artwork to SCAD: Art donation includes work by Romare Bearden, Aaron Douglas and Jacob Lawrence
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Savannah native, retired surgeon and art collector Walter O. Evans, M.D., and the Savannah College of Art and Design announced today the signing of an agreement that designates the college as the recipient of 70 works of African-American art. The donated work will come from the extensive personal collection of Walter and Linda Evans and the Walter O. Evans Foundation for Art and Literature. Plans for the future Walter O. Evans Center for African American Studies are currently under development.
"The Evans collection embodies a sustained dedication and appreciation for African-American art and artists," said SCAD President Paula S. Wallace. "Walter and Linda have created an assemblage of works that celebrates African-American culture. We are fortunate to receive this gift and will continue to share it with others."
SCAD will maintain the extensive collection, which includes original work by Romare Bearden, Aaron Douglas and Jacob Lawrence, and will continue Dr. and Mrs. Evans' aspiration to provide a legacy for the appreciation of African-American art and literature. The collection surveys a range of African-American art from the 19th and 20th centuries and bears witness to the Evans family’s accomplishment of creating a profound and intellectually rich collection.
"I am extremely pleased to make this donation to the Savannah College of Art and Design," Evans said. "There was a real lack of knowledge about African-American art when I began collecting, and this partnership ensures that appreciation for and education about African-American art and literature will be perpetuated."
The collection of original works, including painting, illustration and sculpture, features several of Romare Bearden’s collages and paintings, including "Piano Lesson" (1983), which recently concluded a two-year tour with the National Gallery of Art. Landscapes by Robert Scott Duncanson (1821–1872) and Edward M. Bannister (1828–1901) and the iconic "Genesis Creation" series by Jacob Lawrence (1917–2000) also are part of the collection.
The work of one of the greatest masters of the Harlem Renaissance, Aaron Douglas (1899–1979), is represented by several pieces, including paintings of the newness of the world at the Creation, the horseman of death, and the apocalyptic drama of the Last Judgment — all of which illustrate poems on sermons by James Weldon Johnson in his 1927 book, "God's Trombones."
Evans said, "Linda and I know there are endless possibilities for the center for African-American studies to be a springboard for community involvement, offering an opportunity to introduce children at an early age to art and literature. We know that when children are exposed to art at an early age not only will they grow to appreciate art, but studies have shown that these same children tend to perform better in their math and science classes."
Walter O. Evans, a distinguished surgeon and bibliophile, is widely regarded as one of the nation’s foremost collectors of African-American art. His collection contains work that spans more than a century of vision and creativity and is an expression of his commitment to the importance of cultural heritage.
Beginning in 1979 with Evans’ first major purchase, which was a portfolio of silkscreen prints by Jacob Lawrence, "The Legend of John Brown," The Walter O. Evans Collection now includes more than 200 original paintings and sculptures representing the work of both 19th- and 20th-century African-American artists. The collection also includes work by artists such as Edward Bannister, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Robert Duncanson, Richard Hunt, Mary Edmonia Lewis, Henry O. Tanner and Charles White.
Along with the art collection, Evans has collected first-edition books, manuscripts, documents and letters written by leading African-American authors, artists and political figures.
Evans was featured in Art and Antiques magazine in 1991, 1992 and 1993 as one of "America’s Top 100 Collectors." Among his many affiliations, he is president of the Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence Foundation and is an officer and board member of the Margaret Walker Alexander Research Center and the Telfair Museum of Art. Evans serves as a member of the Savannah College of Art and Design Board of Visitors.
The Savannah College of Art and Design exists to prepare talented students for careers in the visual and performing arts, design, the building arts, and the history of art and architecture. The college has locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, and in Lacoste, France. Degree programs also are offered online through SCAD e-Learning.
The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097; telephone number 404.679.4501) to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The five-year professional M.Arch. degree program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
The college offers Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Urban Design degrees, as well as a variety of certificate programs. Degrees are offered in 30 areas of study. Minors are offered in 44 disciplines.
For more information about the college, programs of study and cultural events sponsored by the college, call 800.869.7223 or 912.525.5100. E-mail may be sent to info@scad.edu.
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