News

One of the most important and comprehensive collections of 20th century African-American art will open at Portland State University on Monday, February 2, 2004, with a private gala reception from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Littman Gallery, 1825 SW Broadway, second floor.

Bank of America is bringing "Celebration and Vision: The Hewitt Collection of African-American Art" to PSU for its only stop in Oregon. The exhibition will visit Portland as a part of its national tour to museums and cultural centers across the United States. Free of charge, the exhibit will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays until 7 p.m. through March 27, 2004. For more information call 503-725-5031.

The Hewitt Collection consists of 55 two-dimensional works of art by 20 artists. It includes renowned works such as "The Card Players" by Hale Woodruff, "Morning Ritual" by Romare Bearden, "Woman in a Blue Coat" by Ernest Crichlow, "Gate in Tangiers" by Henry O. Tanner, "Easter" by Jonathan Green, and "Head of a Woman" by Elizabeth Catlett.

Bank of America purchased the collection in 1998 from John and Vivian Hewitt of New York, who collected the works over a 50-year period. Art & Antiques magazine listed the collection in its third-annual compilation of Top 100 Treasures in its March 2000 issue.

Bank of America offers an educational component for students that was created for the Hewitt Collection by Visual Understanding in Education (VUE), which uses art to teach thinking, communication skills and visual literacy. Through a special partnership between Portland State University, Bank of America and Portland Public Schools, over 600 students in 21 different classes have already registered to visit the collection, and will get an in-depth experience with the exhibit using this style of learning.

Mrs. Vivian Hewitt will be at the opening event for the Hewitt Collection. Members of the media wishing to interview Mrs. Hewitt or attend the opening reception should contact PSU's Office of Marketing and Communications at 503-725-8794 or 503-807-7503. The Hewitt Collection is presented by Bank of America and Portland State University in partnership with KMHD 89.1, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland Tribune and The Skanner. An online press kit of information, including images from the Hewitt Collection, is available at www.bankofamerica.com/newsroom/presskits/view.cfm?page=hewitt.
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Release Number: 04-011