Paul Jones' Art Collection

Thanks to a pointer from a Scott England, I learn that today's Tuscaloosa News has a nice article about Paul Jones' collection of African-American art at the University of Alabama.  This story is decades in the making.  It starts back in the 1930s when, as a child growing up in Alabama, Jones dreamed--as so many boys did--of playing for the Crimson Tide.  Mr. Jones played for Alabama State instead.   But his dreams of studying at the University of Alabama continued.  So in the late 1940s Paul Jones, then a student at Howard University, applied for admission to the University of Alabama's law school.  The result was no surprise--he was rejected.

Paul Jones went on to a successful career--first as a businessman, then working with the interracial commission in Birmingham, and later as an official in the Nixon Administration.  He worked as an administrator with the Peace Corp and later with the Department of Education.  While with the Education Department Jones awarded a large grant to Alabama for adult education.  He did not mention his previous dealings with the University at that point.  (Jones was in the news last month when some Nixon tapes were opened, because Jones had been in charge of Nixon's get out the black vote campaign in 1972.)  He ran for Congress in 1982 (as a Republican) in Atlanta.  This story is beginning to smack of inside baseball, so let me get to the point.

Though Jones did not mention his dealings with UA, he had not forgotten.  In fact, he saved his rejection letter for decades.  And he became an important collector of African American art.

In 2006 the University awarded him an honorary degree.  That degree was given because of his accomplishments as an art collector, rather than to make amends for the ancient wrong.  But in that action, the University renewed a relationship.  And in 2007 Dr. Jones gave a significant portion of his art collection to the University.  And now through his generosity and that of the University, too, Jones is bringing students and artists together.  Ah, what a wonderful story--and what a happy ending (or should I say outcome, because I know the story of Jones' art is long from finished) to the saga.

I've learned a lot from Dr. Jones over the years and from examples he's set.  One of my favorite stories about him, though, is not about his art collection nor his relationship to the University, but about his childhood growing up in Bessemer, Alabama. He sometimes went with his parents to the Bright Star--a legendary restaurant that's still in operation in Bessemer. I highly recommend it next time you're in Birmingham. Because those were the days of Jim Crow, Jones' family could not go in the front door.  So the proprietor would set up a table in the kitchen (or by the kitchen) and the Joneses came in the back door. That was a courageous position for the restaurant in those days, I am reliably informed.  

A while ago I asked Dr. Jones whether he'd been back to Bright Star. And he said "yes. It's still a great restaurant. [Pause] And this time I went in the front door!" Ah, what changes he's witnessed over his lifetime--and what changes he's been a part of, and contributed to as well. It's an important lesson of foregiveness and of moving forward.  As we say in the historical memory business, we are far too often burdened by memory.

The illustration, Romare Bearden's East Carolina Morning, is from Jones' collection at the University of Alabama.

Alfred Brophy

Comments

[Mark Busacca Founder, Busacca Gallery]

*Free Consignment --> ART & ANTIQUES for great collectors !

Art making and collecting is an opportunity for me to share my story with others. I'm finding, more and more, that people want to know the story behind what I make and collect. Collectors are less interested in whether or not they can look at a lot of art. Collectors need a place to ask questions and need someone to critique and edit the art objects, they need that professional eye! I want to help create environments for artists and dealers that are Unbelievably all embracing like a great magazine. As artists and Collectors we need to draw others out into the realm of self expression by creating a space that is safe and reassuring. It's why I love the idea of having one curated all encompassing place to see and research great art and collectibles, and if I wanted to ? Be able to have total safe access to buy the art object 24/7 any where in the world. The power of making art, and looking at the art others make, can heal us, change us, make us think, see new ideas, and give our story a voice by having a great online free posting cataloged platform. My dream is that everyone can be a part of that support forum by sharing there quality art objects! http://www.BusaccaGallery.com 415-776-0104 { CURATED ART & ANTIQUES } [email protected]