Black History
The Story Behind the Doors at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
‘Tis the season for the door – front or otherwise – to undergo its annual decorative makeover which includes wreaths, garlands, and more lights than rush hour in New York City. But, in the art department at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the doors are decked for the season with artistic salutes to some of the most well-known names in art history.
“That’s me,” announces art student Torri Richardson as she bounds up the stairs to the second floor of the building and points to a door that bears the portrait of a young woman who bears a striking likeness to her. Richardson says her inspiration is Amy Sherald who painted the now-famous portrait in the National Portrait Gallery of former First Lady Michelle Obama. “It’s actually inspiring because I plan to do the same thing.”
Dr. Karen DeJarnette, interim director of UAPB’s Department of Art and Design, says, “They’re appropriations of their favorite artworks.”
Down the hall from the door Richardson painted is the Lisa Mona. You guessed it. It’s a contemporary take on the world renown Mona Lisa created in 1503 by Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci.
DeJarnette states, “We have so many non-art majors who come to this floor for art appreciation…and, so, it was like make art appreciation come into the current era.”
A few feet from the Lisa Mona is a student’s version of Picasso’s Mother and Child. Next to Picasso is a door painted to honor Jean-Michel Basquiat. And, look closely…there’s even a door for video gamers who like the SCREAM. Frida Kahlo and Kehinde Wiley, who was commissioned for President Barack Obama’s portrait, are also included on a door.
“Someone said, ‘It’s like an art walk,’” DeJarnette recalls. “The next step is to do the doors downstairs…we are doing so much community service work.”
The students’ work is garnering rave reviews and led to an opportunity to create a commissioned work for the city of Pine Bluff’s holiday display at Lake Saracen. They designed and built a 4’ x 8’ board depicting ice skaters with cutouts for visitors to the lakeside to use as a selfie-scene.
“A group of people were meeting one day about Mistletoe Magic, and we were just bouncing ideas out and somebody said something about, ‘Oh, we oughta get one of those cutouts for pictures.’ And, I was like, ‘I’ll call the UAPB art department,’” says Leigh Cockrum with Go Forward, Pine Bluff. “I called Dr. DeJarnette, and she was gracious about it, and it is absolutely precious. I love it, it’s great! And, I appreciate the kids putting in the time and effort.”
As the semester winds down, students are finishing their work on the upstairs doors. It’s possible the department will host a public exhibit, showcasing the handiwork of its aspiring artists. After all, the names we all know in the art world may never have become familiar were it not for the timely opening of a door of opportunity.
In Arkansas a formerly all-Black school, Ouachita County Training School, has launched a national fundraising effort to restore the campus following its designation as a site on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the first corporate donations to OCTS, located in Bearden, Arkansas, came from the Katherine Anthony Foundation.
Anthony’s nephew, Steve, and CEO of Anthony Timberlands, presented a $10,000 check to the historic committee.
“We are happy to support the work of the Greater Bradley District Association and the Ouachita County Training School committee in their efforts to maintain the infrastructure and grounds of the training school, which is such an important part of the Bearden community,” Anthony said.
The National Park Service listed OCTS on the prestigious register in 2023.
“Since we received the news, we have been excited and motivated to raise the fund necessary to preserve this part of our history!” Virginia Ashley, committee president said. “We recognize the pivotal role OCTS played in educating several generations of young people who started right here and went on to contribute greatly to the Black middle class and the world.”
The gift of education
For education advocates, December holds a special place in American history. During the Christmas Season in 1952, the Supreme Court first heard arguments to eliminate segregation in the nation’s public schools. But, it took two more years before the Court issued its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring segregation unconstitutional.
During the 1950s, OCTS educated Black students in the small southern town south of Little Rock, which became known internationally for The Little Rock Nine and their efforts to integrate Central High School. In Bearden, several Rosenwald Schools had consolidated to create the larger OCTS campus that educated students from the first through the 12th grades.
“I have such wonderful memories of my days as a student at OCTS,” recalled Pearlie Newton, a retired educator and executive director of the OCTS historic committee. “My dad helped pour concrete at the campus, my husband and I met there and it was in one of the classrooms that my goal to become an educator took shape.”
Despite the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision eliminating “separate but equal” schools, OCTS remained segregated until 1971 when it merged with the white school district in the area. An association of Black Baptist churches known as the Greater Bradley District Association purchased the campus for use as its headquarters.
Pastor and Association Moderator, Verna Thompson, said, “We are excited about the renovation and look forward to holding our church services and meetings in a modernized facility that holds so much historic significance.”
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