Cheryl Finley, the academic force behind visual arts and culture at Spelman College, just snagged the prestigious David C. Driskell Prize. This isn't just any award; it's the one that celebrates people who are fundamentally reshaping how we see and understand African American art and its history.
The High Museum of Art in Atlanta kicked off this prize back in 2005, and it comes with a rather pleasing $50,000. For context, previous winners include art world heavyweights like Alison Saar and the artist behind Michelle Obama's portrait, Amy Sherald. So, Finley's in some seriously good company.
More Than Just a Professor
Since 2019, Finley has been at the helm of the Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective. Think of it as a powerhouse program designed to champion Black arts professionals, scholars, and curators, especially those emerging from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It's essentially building the next generation of cultural gatekeepers.
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Start Your News DetoxBut wait, there's more. Since 2013, she's also been instrumental in organizing "Black Portraiture[s]," an annual academic confab that dives deep into art and culture from the African diaspora. And if that wasn't enough, her bibliography includes "Committed to Memory: The Art of the Slave Ship Icon" and the co-authored "My Soul Has Grown Deep: Black Art from the American South."
Rand Suffolk, the director of the High Museum, waxed poetic about Finley, noting that she stands "at the intersection of scholarship and institutional change." Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying for anyone trying to keep up. He added that her work is a direct investment in future visual arts leaders, underscoring the museum's respect for her dedication to elevating Black artists and broadening the scope of African American art.
Finley herself called David C. Driskell a friend and mentor, crediting his generosity as an artist, curator, scholar, and educator for her ongoing inspiration. She also pointed out that this prize arrives at a time when arts and education funding is about as stable as a house of cards in a hurricane. For her, the award highlights the crucial role of new teaching methods, collaboration, and academic excellence at HBCUs (and beyond) in cultivating the next wave of global arts leaders. Because apparently, that's where they're being forged now.
