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.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will provide support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and establish a White House Initiative on HBCUs to “deliver high-quality education to a growing number of students.”
According to the White House, the Initiative will help develop private-sector partnerships, institutional development and workforce preparation in technology, health care, manufacturing and finance.
The president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dr. Harry L. Williams said, “Today’s executive order serves as strong reaffirmation of President Trump’s support of investment of historically Black colleges and universities. This executive order should serve as a call-to-action for corporations, foundations, members of Congress and state lawmakers to redouble their efforts to support HBCUs and their students. TMCF looks forward to continued engagement with the administration and Congress to deliver results for HBCUs and the students they serve via appropriations and other legislative actions.”
On the same day, Trump signed another executive order that removes safeguards for African American schoolchildren by eliminating an Obama-era initiative to protect Black schoolchildren from excessive disciplinary action.
During the Obama administration, the first Black president’s administration created guidelines that sought to prevent school discipline from having a disproportionate effect on minority students. Trump revoked the civil rights initiative during his first term and Biden did not formally restore it.
At his signing today, Trump said his decision was especially important to the current Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who held the signed order.
“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, schools were forced to consider equity and inclusion when imposing discipline,” McMahon said in a statement. “Their policies placed racial equity quotas over student safety – encouraging schools to turn a blind eye to poor or violent behavior in the name of inclusion.”
She added, “Disciplinary decisions should be based solely on students’ behavior and actions.
Studies show that Black students are punished more often than their white counterparts.
The Congressional Black Caucus started the 119th Congress with its largest membership. There were 62 members sworn in today.
“On behalf of the entire Congressional Black Caucus, congratulations to the members of the Executive Committee of the 119th Congress. 53 years after our Caucus’ founding, our work to improve the lives and conditions of Black people in America is more important than ever before,” said CBC President Steven Horsford.
Photo Credit: Ron Busby, U.S. Black Chambers Inc.
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