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Merging Past and Present

African American Art and African Folk Art collection on view at CCBC Essex

By CCBC Stories

April 26^th, 2023

Art can aesthetically improve any environment. However, art is much more than decorative. Art has the ability to improve mood, mental health and even strengthen connections with surroundings.

Under this premise, former Associate Professor and Coordinator of Minority Affairs Deborah Wainwright established a collection of African American art in 1999. She shared her collection with CCBC to give minority students a better sense of belonging with the college.

Wainwright passed away in 2000, but the Deborah Wainwright Memorial Collections of African American Art and African Folk Art lives on permanent display at CCBC Essex. The collection is part of the School of Arts and Communication’s continued efforts to embrace equity and inclusion.

The collection includes kente and Asante fabrics, a painting by a Cameroonian artist, photographs from noted African American photojournalist Irving Henry Webster Phillips Sr. and more. New pieces have been added to the collection to broaden the imagery.

Nicole Buckingham Kern, CCBC gallery coordinator and curator of the collection, took pride in continuing Wainwright’s vision and creating a space for all students to enjoy.

“I was excited to add new pieces to Wainwright’s collection,” said Buckingham Kern. “It was a merging of the past and present — an extension of her vision.”

The space also showcases the work of a minority artist and CCBC alum. The first solo exhibit features CCBC alum Wayne Andrew Koritzer Jr., a successful Baltimore-based photographer and videographer.

“Continuously featuring an alum as part of this exhibit is a great way to refresh this space every year,” said Buckingham Kern. “I hope Deborah Wainwright would be proud of the work we’ve done and our efforts to carry on her artistic vision of inclusion.”

Visit a Gallery at CCBC

CCBC is pleased to present a variety of local, national and international artwork at its three art galleries located at CCBC Essex, CCBC Catonsville and CCBC Dundalk. The galleries are managed and curated by CCBC’s Art and Design program. Contact the art galleries for the most up-to-date hours and visit their blog at thegalleriesatccbc.com.