In 1938, Talladega College in Alabama commissioned the prominent African American artist Hale Woodruff to paint a series of murals for its newly built Savery Library. Comprising six monumental canvases arranged in two cycles of three, the vibrant murals portray heroic efforts to resist slavery as well as moments in the history of Talladega College, which opened in 1867 to serve the educational needs of a new population of freed slaves. Bold and unnerving, the Talladega Murals bring with them a staggering reputation. They endure as some of the most poignant depictions of slavery ever painted and rank as Hale Woodruff’s greatest artistic achievement.

In 2011, art conservators and handlers from the High Museum in Atlanta began the process of conserving the murals in order to preserve them for future generations. After a 12-month restoration process, the murals began a three-year tour with the title Rising Up: Hale Woodruff’s Murals at Talladega College. The murals will be displayed at NYU’s 80WSE gallery between July 20 and October 13, 2013, which is the only time these unique works of art will be available for viewing in the New York metropolitan area.

For additional information about the murals, please see the link below:

http://www.amistadmurals.com/

To schedule group tours of the Hale Woodruff show please contact Hugh O'Rourke at the 80wse Gallery by phone at 212-998-5747 or by email at 80wse@nyu.edu to find out available tour times.