Detail of Minnehaha, a sculpture by Mary Edmonia Lewis. The Terra Foundation grant will help rekindle the artist’s glory. Image: George Museum

The Terra Foundation grant will support the planning of a groundbreaking exhibition of 19th-century neoclassical sculptor Mary Edmonia Lewis.

BY ARTCENTRON NEWS

ATHENS, GA —The Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia has received a prestigious $75,000 grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art. This grant will support the planning of an exhibition The Sculpture of Edmonia Lewis, focusing on the works of 19th-century neoclassical sculptor Mary Edmonia Lewis, whose groundbreaking contributions to American art have not gotten its due attention.

Mary Edmonia Lewis was a talented sculptor who gained international acclaim in the 19th century. She was born to an African American father and a Mississauga Ojibwe mother. Lewis faced significant challenges due to her racial and gender identity. Despite these obstacles, she traveled to Rome in 1866, where she achieved great success. She also broke barriers as a woman of color in the art world.

The grant from the Terra Foundation is crucial, as it will enable the Georgia Museum of Art to undertake the planning and organization of this landmark exhibition. The funds will support initial object research, collaboration with advisors and collecting institutions, and the creation of new opportunities for intellectual engagement.

Importance of the Grant

Organized by Shawnya L. Harris and Jeffrey Richmond-Moll, the exhibition will feature 25 to 30 unique sculptures created by Lewis between the 1860s and 1890s. These sculptures represent the majority of extant works by the artist. They include a range of subjects, from abolitionists and political leaders to Indigenous themes and classical figures.

Lewis’ sculptures provide a unique perspective on issues such as enslavement, abolition, and mythology. The exhibition will place her work in conversation with other artists of color, such as Robert S. Duncanson and Harriet Hosmer, highlighting the interconnectedness of their artistic endeavors.

The exhibition will be curated by Shawnya L. Harris, the museum’s deputy director of curatorial and academic affairs, and Jeffrey Richmond-Moll, the museum’s former curator of American art. Their expertise in African American and American art will ensure a comprehensive and insightful presentation of Lewis’ work.

Curatoral Objective

The primary objective of the exhibition is to bring greater recognition to Mary Edmonia Lewis and her contributions to American sculpture. By showcasing her sculptures and contextualizing them within the broader artistic and social movements of her time, the exhibition aims to recenter Lewis and other historical female artists and artists of color in the narrative of American art history.

Scholars have only recently begun to fully recognize and appreciate Lewis’ work. This exhibition, along with an accompanying publication, will further remedy the oversight of her contributions to American sculpture. Above all, they will highlight her artistic advancements and social commentaries.

The Terra Foundation for American Art was established in 1978. It supports organizations and individuals globally to foster intercultural dialogues and expand narratives of American art. The foundation’s grant to the Georgia Museum of Art demonstrates its commitment to promoting underrepresented artists and narratives in American art history.

The Sculpture of Edmonia Lewis at the Georgia Museum of Art is very significant. It represents a significant step towards recognizing and celebrating the artistic achievements of Mary Edmonia Lewis. Through this exhibition, Lewis’ sculptures will reach a wider audience. But more importantly, it will ensure an acknowledgment and celebration of her legacy as a pioneering artist.