Howard University Hosts Its First Ever Virtual Art Exhibitions To Celebrate New Grads & Faculty

If you know about me, you know that I attended the illustrious Howard University. If you aren’t hip, Howard (also known as “The Mecca”) is one of (if not thee) premier historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU). I didn’t get a chance to graduate from Howard (explained in my bio), but I’ll always consider myself a Bison (Howard’s mascot). Though I’m proud of my degree from Penn State, I always say I did all my learning at Howard. The rich history and culture, along with substantive classes, really helped shape my perspective and pursuits as a Black man in America. I also formed some lasting friendships with some dope people.

You can only imagine my joy when I came across a Howard story that coincides with what I’m trying to do with CISED. The school on the Hilltop has some truly ill, innovative stuff going on in the art space. It also shows that though it’s 153-years-old, it can still adapt to the current times. Since the coronavirus pandemic has virtually shut down a lot of activities, the Howard University Department of Art has decided to go virtual with two of its annual art exhibits to celebrate its new grads and faculty. Both exhibits are 3D walkthrough situations featuring ceramics, paintings, digital videos, fashion design, journal articles, commercial design, sculpture, illustration, photography and animations. This is far from the first of its kind, but it’s a first for Howard in its century and a half of existence. “While the unprecedented COVID-19 Pandemic bars access to the physical space at the University, we are unwavering in our dedication to forge an innovative future while honoring our legacy,” reads the university’s official announcement. 

The yearly Annual Art Graduates Exhibition features 35 pieces from ten graduates (five recipients of the Master of Fine Arts degree and five recipients of the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree):

The Annual Art Graduates Exhibition represents achievements unique to this class who steadfastly and resolutely completed their final semester at Howard remotely. As they embark upon lifelong journeys as ambassadors of visual communication, they join the ranks of notable alumni including James A. Porter, Alma Thomas, Elizabeth Catlett, David C. Driskell, Earl J. Hooks, Malkia Roberts, Houston Conwill and Jamea Richmond Edwards. On this occasion of the University’s virtual Commencement, congratulations to our graduating Class of 2020 who have demonstrated their pursuit of excellence and set the bar high for generations to follow!

The 50th Annual Faculty Exhibition includes 40 artworks from 16 faculty members:

The 50th Faculty Exhibition marks a significant milestone in the history of the Department of Art. Since our founding in 1921, exemplary faculty have progressively advanced the visual art discourse. The Department of Art faculty have served as a fount of artistic knowledge for cultural trends and cutting-edge creative technologies in facilitating the highest quality of artistic skills, scholarly research, and critical visual commentary. We build on the stellar traditions of legacy artist-scholars, James V. Herring and James A. Porter, as well as those whose artworks inaugurated the first faculty exhibitions such as: Loïs Mailou Jones, Albert V. Carter, Jeff Donaldson, Alexander “Skunder” Boghossian, Ed Love, and Tritobia Hayes Benjamin.

We would like to also acknowledge an In Memoriam to our late faculty members Floyd W. Coleman (1939-2018), Raymond G. Dobard (1947-2019), Michael B. Platt (1948-2019), and David C. Driskell (1931-2020) for their notable contributions to Howard and the art world.

Once you get the hang of how to move smoothly through the exhibits with the controls, it’s a pretty cool experience. Definitely some major talent on display. I suggest you kill some time checking them out. Pretty sure you’re running out of things to do during this lockdown. Checking out some exclusive art should satisfy you.

The Annual Art Graduates Exhibition can be viewed here.

The 50th Annual Faculty Exhibition can be viewed here.

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