'Imprinted: Illustrating Race' is landmark show at Delaware Art Museum
Amid a time of tightening arts funding that threatens exhibitions celebrating historically marginalized artists and communities, the Delaware Art Museum continues its commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices in ways that spark dialogue and inspire change.
The Gilliam Foundation is underscoring the importance of this work through its support of a traveling exhibition at the Delaware Art Museum.
'Flyer of the 332nd Fighter Group Standing Beside His P-51' is a work in oil by Chris Hopkins.
Each year, the Foundation funds one major project along with several smaller initiatives. This year, we chose to champion the arts – specifically, the Delaware presentation of "Imprinted: Illustrating Race,'' a traveling exhibition organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, now on view at DelArt.
At the Gilliam Foundation, we are dedicated to providing financial resources to nonprofits that drive transformational projects. Our mission is to promote equitable opportunities and outcomes for historically marginalized, disenfranchised, and oppressed communities – especially here in Delaware. Supporting the DelArt’s presentation of "Imprinted: Illustrating Race'' is a natural extension of that mission.
A landmark exhibition, "Imprinted'' examines the role of published images in shaping attitudes toward race and culture.
The exhibition explores how visual representations in mainstream media have both reinforced and challenged racial stereotypes.
More than 250+ works of art and artifacts of widely circulated illustrated imagery are on view, produced from 1590 to today. It largely focuses on African American subject matter and highlights key examples of illustrations depicting Native American and immigrant populations in the US, confronting the ways illustration has influenced American racial attitudes.
By presenting more truthful depictions and celebrating the nation’s diverse cultural identities, "Imprinted'' serves as a powerful tool for reshaping public perception.
This groundbreaking presentation in Delaware allows the Museum’s audiences to explore the power of images in shaping narratives about race and identity in America.
DelArt is presenting the work in new ways through in-gallery interpretive experiences, like expanded curriculum, weekend tour experiences, and experiences that center the voices of Delaware’s artistic community. The series of public programs and offerings, like the third annual Hip Hop Summit, supports the Museum’s goals of serving new audiences, providing Delaware with access to nationally and internationally acclaimed artwork and artists, and serving as space for open dialogue around difficult issues with art at the center.
"Imprinted'' was on view at the Norman Rockwell Museum in June 2022 and begins its national tour here in Delaware before heading to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.
Robyn Phillips Pendleton's 'Homework' is among the works featured in 'Imprinted: Illustrating Race' at Delaware Art Museum.
“Delaware scholars and collections were so deeply involved in the show that it seemed important to bring it here,” DelArt Executive Director Molly Giordano expressed to me when approached aboutsupporting this effort.
Developed through collaboration with a diverse group of scholars, curators, and artists, the exhibition’s thesis was led by guest curator Robyn Phillips-Pendleton, a Black artist and professor at the University of Delaware. An accompanying catalogue features a curatorial introduction, extensive illustrations, and 11 essays, including one by DelArt’s Curator of American Illustration Heather Campbell Coyle.
DelArt previously worked with Phillips-Pendleton on the 2021 reinstallation of the Museum’s American Illustration galleries, which sought to broaden the story of American art and illustration by addressing the historical lack of representation. Phillips-Pendleton contributed as a scholar and is featured in an in-gallery video highlighting this collaborative effort.
DelArt’s commitment to inclusion and community-centered programming mirrors our own priorities. Their presentation of "Imprinted: Illustrating Race'' does more than present a powerful selection of artwork – it serves as a platform for learning, conversation, and connection and the Gilliam Foundation is a proud partner in supporting work that welcome new audiences, fosters equity, and keep art at the center of civic dialogue in our state.
Patrice Gilliam Johnson is president of the board of the Gilliam Foundation.
Patrice Gilliam Johnson is president of the board of the Gilliam Foundation, which is bringing 'Imprinted: Illustrating Race' to the Delaware Art Museum from the Norman Rockwell Museum.
Open Call
Open Call is hosted by regional arts and cultural groups on Sundays. If you know a group that would like to be included, please email Tammy Paolino at [email protected] for details.
