Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Lewis, Samella S. print view role Collector Scholar/Critic/Expert Dealer/Gallery dates 1923-2022 city New Orleans state LA other cities Los Angeles, CA; Tallahassee, FL; Albany, NY sex F historical notes Born in 1924 in New Orleans, Samella Lewis was renowned for her contributions to African American art and art history. Lewis began her art career as a student at Dillard University, where she was instructed by the African American sculptor Elizabeth Catlett. In 1951, she became the first Black woman to receive her doctorate in fine arts and art history. In order to publish Black Artists on Art (1969), Lewis founded the first Black-owned art publishing house, Contemporary Cras. From 1969 to 1984, Lewis worked as professor of art history at Scripps College in Claremont, California. In 1976, Lewis also co-founded the Museum of African American Art and established the scholarly journal International Review of African American Art that same year. Lewis published Art: African American in 1978 (revised in 2003 as African American Art and Artists), which has become a seminal text in the history of Black art in the United States. Lewis's own work was exhibited in many important galleries and museums. In 2007, the Scripp’s Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery established the Samella Lewis Contemporary Art Collection in her honor. The collection features work by many artists, including Lewis — as well as work donated by Lewis from her personal collection, including an evocative 1983 woodcut by Catlett titled “Survivor.” decades of activity 1960-1970 1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000 2000-2010 2010-2020 updated 03/22/2024 12:09:32 bibliographic search Search Frick Art Reference Library Catalog Search Photoarchive Search Worldcat Search Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF) Search Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) Search Wikidata Entry Archives/Repository Collection Title Collection Details see also: Kebede, Alitash «  back