Black Art Exhibition Programs Archive by Black Dimensions in Art, Inc., 1978-1992

Black Dimensions in Art

Archive

[African American] [Art] Exhibition catalogues and programs by Black Dimensions in Art, Inc., 1978–1992. Archive of five rare exhibition programs documenting the work of Black American artists in the post-civil rights era, curated by non-profit organization, Black Dimensions in Art, Inc. These programs provide insight into Black arts organizing in the Capitol District of New York State and reflect the national and diasporic scope of Black aesthetics across the 1970s and 1980s. Founded in 1972 in Albany, New York, BDA was established with a mission “to promote the works of Black artists,” “to expose the general public to the contributions of Black people to the visual arts,” and “to present the Black experience as a positive force in American life.” These catalogues reflect the rise of independent Black arts institutions in the aftermath of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, a moment when access to white dominated art institutions remained limited. BDA’s publications not only featured pioneering Black artists but also explored diasporic and ancestral visual traditions. With venues including the Schenectady Museum, Albany Institute of History and Art, and Empire State Plaza, these exhibitions represented a rare state supported initiative in support of African diasporic art history and education. This collection also includes a key exhibition on jazz-inspired visual works, other exhibitions on emerging and established Black artists, and a rare solo exhibition of Arthur Coppedge, a painter whose work bridges figurative realism and Black psychological expression.

Programs in this archive include:
[1] Black Artists in Historical Perspective, Part II. Schenectady, NY: Black Dimensions in Art, Inc., 1978. Held at the Schenectady Museum, this exhibit was a follow-up to the 1976 Bicentennial exhibition, this program examines African American contributions to visual culture through the lens of historical progression. The program includes commentary on Black aesthetic continuity, addressing how “images, rhythms, themes, and materials used by African and African American artists” are repeated and reimagined across generations.

[2] Contemporary Black Artists Invitational ’81. Troy, NY and Schenectady, NY: Black Dimensions in Art, Inc., 1981. The foreword describes BDA’s support for Black artists in the Capital District and beyond, including grant-funded artist fellowships and sales opportunities. A robust representation of professional Black artistry across media including painting, ceramics, and sculpture.

[3] Emerging Artists ’84. Schenectady, NY and Albany, NY: Black Dimensions in Art, Inc., 1984. Held at the Schenectady Museum and the Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza. Exhibition highlighted the next generation of Black visual artists.

[3] Paintings & Drawings by Arthur Coppedge. Schenectady, NY: Black Dimensions in Art, Inc., 1988. Held at the Schenectady Museum. Solo exhibition catalog of Arthur Coppedge, a Black painter whose emotionally charged figurative portraits explored the interiority of Black subjects. The foreword highlights Coppedge’s work as both technically masterful and symbolically rich, representing “a direct response to his environment and life as a Black American male.”

[4] Jazz Dimensions ’92. Schenectady, NY: Black Dimensions in Art, Inc., 1992. Held at the Schenectady Museum. Thematically centered on the connection between visual art and jazz. The program lists award-winning works including Kent Allen’s “Blue Mirage” (First Prize), Lawrence Phillipo’s “Horoscope” (Second Prize), and Francese Dawkins’ “Jump Page” (Third Prize).
Most programs measure approximately 9" x 7" and have staple bound pictorial wrappers. Overall very good condition, with some light edge wear and faint toning to some. An extraordinary archive of five original exhibition programs from one of the most important Black visual arts institutions of the post-Civil Rights era, documenting the rise of diasporic and African American arts infrastructure and state funded support.

Item #22499

Price: $285.00