Colorful painting of the sillhouette of a woman with a scarf on her head in a dress with a necklace and chunky bracelet sitting sideways
Maxine, 1976
Richard J. Watson. American, born 1946
Oil on canvas.
Gift of Sylvia Smith Lewis, class of 1974, and Byron E. Lewis Sr.
Man with short black hair with a moustache and in a tuxedo
Portrait of Byron Lewis, 1991
Fred Brown. American, 1945–2012
Oil on linen
Gift of Sylvia Smith Lewis, class of 1974, and Byron E. Lewis Sr.
Abstract image flowers on a light green background
From the Garden of Isis, 1989
Betty Blayton-Taylor. American, 1937–2016
Collotype monoprint on medium thick, slightly textured cream-colored paper
Gift of Sylvia Smith Lewis, class of 1974, and Byron E. Lewis Sr.

A Beacon to the World: Art from the Sylvia Smith Lewis ’74 and Byron E. Lewis Sr. Collection

February 23–September 22, 2024
Overview

This special installation celebrates the recent donation of artwork from Sylvia Smith Lewis, class of 1974, and her husband, Byron E. Lewis Sr. Lifelong supporters of Black artists, the Lewises built a major collection of modern and contemporary art. Unlike the majority of collectors and museums in the United States—who, until recently, ignored or marginalized work by Black artists—the Lewises have always championed the immense creativity and talent of these artists whose friendship they enjoyed and whose art they collected. 
 
Featuring more than twenty works in a variety of media, this installation includes works by Richmond Barthé, Romare Bearden, Betty Blayton-Taylor, Fred Brown, and Richard J. Watson. It celebrates the Lewises’ vision as collectors and recognizes the trust they have placed in each of us—staff and visitors alike—to care for, and learn from, these works in perpetuity. 
 
This installation was supported by the Suzannah J. Fabing Programs Fund.

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