Reviving Bennett’s Art Collection: A Journey of Heritage, Education, and Empowerment
May 15, 2024 | In the PressFrom Bennett.edu (https://bennett.edu/news/reviving-bennetts-art-collection-a-journey-of-heritage-education-and-empowerment/)
In the heart of Bennett College, a revival is taking place. As part of the AR100 (Introduction to Visual Art) class during Fall 2023, students have embarked on an inspiring journey, breathing new life into the college’s art collection. The culmination of their efforts is a student-curated art exhibit, which opened its doors on March 28 and will be welcoming visitors until Fall 2024. Each student meticulously researched their chosen piece, crafting detailed exhibit labels that reflect the depth of their understanding and passion for visual art.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to reconnect Bennett with its illustrious past as a founding member of the Alliance of HBCU Museums and Galleries. This Alliance, led by the visionary Dr. Jontyle Robinson, champions entrepreneurial pathways for HBCU students through internships and training programs, addressing an art industry that remains predominantly white. Dr. Robinson’s illustrious career includes inaugural curator roles at the Legacy Museum at Tuskegee University and the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art.
Dr. Robinson shared her insights on the significance of this effort, stating, “The Alliance provides entrepreneurial pathways forward for HBCU consumers through internships and training programs to address a global art industry which has some segments that are 98% white.”
In a testament to this commitment, the Alliance sponsored a one-week conservation survey from January 26 to February 2, 2024. Spearheaded by professional art conservator Amanda Kasman from the Williamstown + Atlanta Art Conservation Center, the survey included Dr. Claire Heckel, Assistant Professor of Honors and Interdisciplinary Studies, and four dedicated Bennett students: seniors Angela Nettles, Trinity Cromwell, Jaiyah-Shalon Gordon, and junior Genesis Almodovar. Each student received a $500 stipend for their participation. Dr. Heckel even developed a special topics course, AR299: Art Conservation Practicum, to build on this experience, providing students with invaluable knowledge about museum management, collections care, and best practices in art handling.
Thanks to a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the survey resulted in a comprehensive digital inventory of Bennett’s art collection, comprising 298 pieces. Among these, 228 (77%) were assessed for conservation risks, with several pieces undergoing immediate treatments such as cleaning and pest mitigation. The survey concluded with a detailed Conservation Report from Ms. Kasman, laying the groundwork for future preservation efforts.
But the journey doesn’t end there. The Alliance’s Six-Week Internship in Practical Conservation is another avenue through which Bennett students continue to shine. Angela Nettles and Trinity Cromwell were selected for this prestigious internship, which includes two weeks of training at the University of Delaware’s Winterthur Museum, followed by a month of intensive conservation work at other esteemed museums. Angela will delve into historical materials at the Legacy Museum at Tuskegee University, while Trinity will focus on fine art conservation at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Angela Nettles, who aims to pursue a career in Libraries and Archives, has been accepted into the Master’s of Library and Information Science program at UNC Chapel Hill, one of the top schools in the nation for Library Science. Trinity Cromwell plans to apply to a graduate program in art conservation, with dreams of making a lasting impact in the field.
Bennett’s renewed focus on its art collection is more than an educational initiative; it’s a powerful statement of heritage, empowerment, and forward-thinking. This project not only preserves the past but also shapes the future, ensuring that the legacy of Bennett College and its students continues to inspire for generations to come.
As part of Bennett’s Introduction to Visual Art class, students each selected a work of art to research and include in a student-curated art exhibit. The exhibit opened in the Steele Hall Art Gallery on the Bennett College campus on March 28.
Students in AR100 this Fall will curate and install a new exhibit. According to Dr. Heckel, “This not only provides an invaluable hands-on experience for students, but also contributes to the preservation of the collection. While exhibition and viewing are essential parts of the collection’s function, the works themselves benefit from rotation, as extended exhibition places pieces at risk of overexposure to light and other conservation risks.”
The current exhibit will be up until the new exhibit is installed in October of 2024. The gallery is open by appointment, email claire.heckel@bennett.edu to make a booking.
