Glyneisha Johnson, Herstory, archival digital print, (2019). Courtesy of the artist.

The Savannah College of Art and Design is proud to present the Frederick Douglass: Embers of Freedom group exhibition at the SCAD Museum of Art. This timely exhibition explores the life and legacy of the preeminent social reformer, abolitionist, and statesman and is centered on the Frederick Douglass Family Archive from the collection of Walter and Linda Evans.

Unknown photographer (likely Dennis Bourdon, Norman Photographic Company), “Joseph Henry Douglass and Frederick Douglass,” May 10, 1894, cabinet card photograph. Collection of Walter and Linda Evans, Savannah, Georgia.

Frederick Douglass: Embers of Freedom showcases an extraordinary grouping of primary documents which offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn first-hand about this legendary figure in the history of the United States. Through letters, family scrapbooks, photographs, and other archival material, viewers will discover rarely-known facts about Douglass’ family and personal history, something the abolitionist rarely wrote about in his autobiographies. This also marks the last time these Frederick Douglass archives will be shown in Dr. Evans lifetime.

The historic register on display in the Walter O. Evans gallery will be in conversation with modern and contemporary works by renowned artists, including Jacob Lawrence, Betye Saar Scott Covert, Omar Victor Diop, Latoya Ruby Frazier, Lyle Ashton Harris, Stephen Hayers, Lubaina Himid, Titus Kaphar, Meleko Mokgossi, Mathat Rosler, James Van Der Zee, Barbara Walker, Gillian Wearing, Wilmer Wilson IV, and Charles White. New commissions by Onyedika Chuke, TR Ericsson, Glyneisha Johnson, Le’Andra LeSeur (SCAD B.F.A., photography, 2014), and Charles Edward Williams (SCAD B.F.A., advertising, 2006) will also be on display.

This exhibition and programming highlights the university’s ongoing mission to showcase emerging and established African American artists.  Since opening in 2011, SCAD Museum of Art has exhibited over twenty artists dynamic work including Fred Wilson, Hank Willis Thomas, Carrie Mae Weems, Jacob Lawrence, Lorraine O’Grady, Radcliffe Bailey, Andre 3000, Toyin Ojih Odutola, and Stephen Burrows, among others.

Frederick Douglass: Embers of Freedom is on view from October 3 – January 5 at SCAD Museum of Art (601 Turner Blvd.
Savannah, Georgia).

For more information, visit www.scadmoa.org/frederick-douglass-embers-of-freedom.