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Noted collectors Larry D. & Brenda A. Thompson gift 18 works by 12 African American artists to the Museum
In late 2022, noted collectors of American art Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson presented The Columbus Museum with 18 works—six prints, three paintings on paper, three drawings, four mixed media works, and two oils on canvas—by 12 different African American artists, several of whom are new to the collection. These compelling works were created by several prominent historic and contemporary African American artists, and this very generous donation is part of the Thompsons’ larger efforts to ensure that Black artists form part of the overall narrative about American art. Other institutions that have benefitted from the Thompsons’ generosity over the years include the Georgia Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art, and the Phillips Collection.
“We have always heard great things about The Columbus Museum, and we finally had the opportunity to visit a couple years ago, and we were not disappointed,” said Brenda Thompson. “We were impressed by the depth of the collection and of the strong presence of African American and southern regional artists. The presentation and connection to our region’s history made it a desirable institution for us to share these items with. We were happy to make this gift and to start this partnership in supporting The Columbus Museum.”
The Museum’s gift boasts pieces from some of the country’s leading African American visual artists including Richard Mayhew, Hughie Lee-Smith, Margaret Burroughs, and Cheryl War- rick. Works by less well-known makers, such as Elton Fax and Jewel Simon, attest to the many and varied ways that African Americans have, over the course of the 20th century, pursued visual creative expression.
“We are delighted to accept this group of works by African American artists, which is a tremendous help in our ongoing efforts to diversify the collection,” said Marianne Richter, director of The Columbus Museum. “As the Museum’s holdings of African American art are still growing, adding works by artists not previously represented in the collection helps us fill some longstanding gaps. We look forward to sharing this important gift with our visitors and the wider community in a future gallery rotation.”
“It is always gratifying when folks outside the Lower Chattahoochee River Valley note our efforts to bring complexity and nuance to the Museum’s holdings—and then offer tangible support,” said Jonathan Frederick Walz, director of curatorial affairs and curator of American art. “The Thompsons are legendary philanthropists, and I am over the moon that they chose the Museum as the recipient of this remarkable gift.”
As always, The Columbus Museum is grateful to the many donors like the Thompsons who have entrusted us with designated purchase funds or gifts of art. The impact of the Thompsons’ donation on the collection and the community will be felt for decades to come.
All images: Gift of Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson in honor of the Museum’s 70th Anniversary
