A Women's Work
ABOUT THIS EXHIBITION
Since the establishment of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Afro-American Cultural and Service Center in 1974, women have been at the core of its foundation. As the organization evolved to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the foundation of strength, vision and dedication — despite challenges and tribulations demonstrated by the Gantt’s founding mothers Drs. Bertha Maxwell-Roddey and Mary Harper — still stands decades later.
As we approach the milestone celebration of 45 years as an institution and 10 years in our award-winning facility this year, we take another look at the imprint of women on our society and pay homage to the women who helped make the Gantt Center a reality. Our two founding mothers envisioned and then established a place that would stem the erasure of Charlotte’s African-American heritage. The Gantt stands proudly today as a prominent public space that celebrates African-American art, history and culture, as well as the multi-dimensional role of African-American women in our country.
Selections from the Hewitt Collection
About The Hewitt
Collected over 50 years by John and Vivian Hewitt, this exhibit includes masterworks by African - American artists, including Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Henry O. Tanner and Hale Woodruff. In 1998, Bank of America acquired this Collection, which visited 25 museums before arriving at its permanent home, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture, in 2009. The Hewitt Collection of African - American Art is an assemblage of works that celebrates the expression and passion of 20 artists and two avid collectors. In this documentary, art is shown and talked about by Mrs. Hewitt, artists Ann Tanksley, Jonathan Green, Eugene Grigsby and Kenkeleba Gallery director Corinne Jennings, accompanied by a music score by Pheeroan akLaff.