Irvin Jones Collection exhibition open through March 5

A reception, marking the opening of the Irvin Jones Collection of African-American art, was held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, in Southern University's Visual Arts Gallery in Frank Hayden Hall.

The exhibition continues through March 5.

Jones, a graduate of the SU's Laboratory School, began collecting art after taking a class in art appreciation while a student at Howard University. He has amassed more than 400 works that he has purchased.

This major exhibition, curated by Associate Professor Randell Henry, features significant names in African-American art. The exhibition includes works by Tamara Madden, Charlie Palmer, Emerson Bell, Malaika Favorite and Charles Criner.

Also included in the exhibition is Willie Birch, who spent 20 year making a reputation in New York City before moving back to New Orleans and being honored by the New Orleans Museum of Art with a community parade, welcoming him back as a celebrated artist.

In 2014, he was chosen as a United States Artists Fellows winner with an unrestricted $50, 000 award as one of America's most accomplished and innovative artist.

Other great artists represented in the exhibition are: Ellis Wilson, Henry O. Tanner, James Denmark, Sam Gilliam, John Biggers, Lois Mailou Jones, Elizabeth Catlett, Robert Colescott, Artis Lane, Mo Bookner, Richard Mayhew, Herbert Gentry and Benny Andrews.

Jones, a 1967 Lab School graduate, received a degree in Psychology from Howard University and completed graduate studies in Industrial Psychology at the University of Detroit.

The Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment on Fridays.