About this Event

A passionate artist, educator and beloved member of the University of Delaware community, James E. Newton founded what is today known as UD’s Department of Africana Studies in the 1970s. He believed that art, education, mentorship and community could change the world for the better.

Join Demetra McBrayer to learn about the experience of curating the exhibition The Artistic Legacy of James. E. Newton: The Archival Record, which explores how Newton built communities and changed the lives of those around him. The exhibition is on view February 6 - August 23, 2024, in Morris Library’s Information Room.

McBrayer is a doctoral candidate in the Department of English at UD and a graduate research assistant in Special Collections. They study Black literature and print culture, digital humanities, archives, and collections with an interest in the recovery, reparation and celebration of Black stories in literature and collections. McBrayer’s research and curatorial work was supported by the Paul R. Jones Initiative.

This in-person event is part of our Scholar in the Library series. It is free and open to the public. Registration is required as seating is limited. This event will not be recorded.

This event is part of a collaboration between the Delaware Art Museum and the University of Delaware to celebrate James E. Newton’s legacy as an artist, UD professor and leader in the Delaware community. Exhibitions are on view at the Delaware Art Museum, UD’s Mechanical Hall Gallery and UD’s Morris Library.