The Donald P. Sowell Endowment Committee (Sowell Committee) was established in 1993 as a tribute to Donald P. Sowell (1929-1989), an important Cincinnati artist and art educator.
The Sowell Committee promotes greater interaction and involvement of the African American community with the Cincinnati Art Museum. In doing so they oversee an endowment in Mr. Sowell’s name and act as a recommending body for the disbursements of its funds to promote African American art, programs, exhibitions and other art forms of interest to the African American community. The Sowell Committee also provides educational and social fundraising activities that benefit the endowment and the museum.
Programs take place on the first Sunday of each month from September through June from 3-5 p.m.
$50
For more information, please contact the Philanthropy Office at [email protected] or (513) 639-2964.
Programs take place on the first Sunday of each month from September through June from 3-5 p.m.
Sunday, January 8, 2023, 3 p.m.
Michael Thompson, Artist
Fath Auditorium
Michael Thompson, a multimedia artist, designer, and poet will share his artistic practice as an archivist; collecting things, spaces, and histories to add to his art and life. Thompson served previously as artist-in-residence at CAM and the Contemporary Art Center.
Sunday, February 12, 2023, 3 p.m.
Georgia O’Keeffe, Photographer
Fath Auditorium
Nathaniel Stein, Curator of Photography, will guide members through Georgia O’Keeffe’s exhibition of nearly 100 photographs by the artist, together with a complementary selection of paintings and drawings.
Sunday, March 5, 2023, 3 p.m.
[email protected] Taft Museum
Sowell members will tour the exhibition Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art.
This exhibition features approximately 60 works of art, including paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and mixed media by well-known African American artists Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Sam Gilliam, Loïs Mailou Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Gordon Parks, Alma Thomas, and others. More details to follow regarding admission fees.
Optional: Sowell members will gather in the Lindner Family Café at 1:00 pm for lunch (dutch-treat), prior to tour.
Sunday, April 23, 2023, 3 p.m.
Roberto Lugo: Hi-Def Archives
Fath Auditorium
Amy Miller Dehan, Curator of Decorative Arts and Design, will guide us through a tour of ceramic works created by Roberto Lugo. Lugo draws from his lived experience and deep knowledge of ceramic history to create works that elevate the stories of those historically absent from the decoration of extravagant examples of pottery.
Sunday, May 7, 2023, 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Fiber Artist Cynthia Lockhart, Our Journey Continues / Fath Auditorium / Castellini Room
Cynthia Lockhart will share her "journey of life" and experiences that influenced her decision to become a practicing fiber artist. Lockhart’s textiles are distinguished by their pulsating colors, which simulate the vivaciousness of her African ancestry, and by their irregular, organic shapes and circles. Lockhart’s fiber art tells a story-one that encourages people to understand the diversity of people, cultures, and beauty in the world around them. Most recently, Lockhart's quilt titled Created To Be Me was acquired by the Smithsonian Collection in Washington D.C. at the Renwick Gallery.
Workshop for SEC MEMBERS:
Sowell Committee members will also have an opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind quilt. Participants will learn how to tell a story through various textile techniques: stitch, sew and embellish.
This workshop is appropriate for an adult audience of all levels who are interested in learning about fiber art. All items needed for hands-on project will be supplied. Registration required for workshop due to limited seating. Register by April 15 at [email protected]
Sunday, June 11, 2023, 3 p.m.
Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection
Fath Auditorium
Dr. Julie Aronson, Curator of American Paintings, Sculpture, will give us a guided tour of this collection of works by self-taught artists.
Mark your Calendars: During the month of October 2023, SEC will have a celebratory event and a fundraiser to support CAM's acquisitions of work by African American artists and the SEC Summer Intern Program.
Cynthia Collins, Chair
Linda Meador, Secretary
Myra Paige-Livingston, Treasurer
Katrina Mundy, Past Chair
Consuelo Harris, Member-at-Large