"Edwin Augustus Harleston: Artist and Activist in a Changing Era"

Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture

The AVERY RESEARCH CENTER, a division of the College of Charleston was established to collect, preserve, and make public the unique historical and cultural heritage of African Americans in Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry.

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The Avery Research Center provides access to and professional reference assistance in the use of its collections to the College of Charleston community, scholars and the general public. Avery facilitates access to these holdings in person, by mail, e-mail or telephone reference services.
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Archives News: Avery was recently awarded a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) to catalogue its "Hidden Collections." One of 18 institutions nation-wide selected for this prestigious award, Avery is using the $236,920 to better process its manuscript and museum materials to increase their accessibility to the public. A full time archivist, a part time museum registrar and three part time assistants have been hired to make this two-year program a reality. It is a testimonial to the national and even international importance of Avery's archives and artifacts that it was chosen. In charge of the program is Harlan Greene, Director of Archival and Reference Services. Avery gratefully acknowledges the contributions of CLIR and the Mellon Foundation for making this work possible.

PROGRAMS
The Center's galleries and other public spaces house permanent displays and installations and are sites for workshops, lectures, poetry readings, book signings, receptions, jazz performances and art exhibitions throughout the year.
Visit our EVENTS page for a full listing of upcoming programs.

PHOTO GALLERY

Panel Presentation
"Role of Youth During the Charleston Movement, 1960 - 1965"

Presentations will be centered around the role and participation of youth in the Charleston Movement, 1960 - 1965. Particular attention will be given to members of the NAACP Youth Council, as they gave leadership to direct action campaigns. These campaigns sought to:
•Desegregate schools, lunch counters and motels
•Improve employment opportunities
•Secure all other rights of full citizenship

For information call: Curtis Franks, 843.953.7610

Exhibition Opening
November 19, 2009
6:00 pm

"Sweetgrass: A Living Legacy of
Family and Community"

This “Sweetgrass” exhibit is a culmination of over twenty-seven years of relationships between Avery and sweetgrass basket makers.  Avery has purchased numerous baskets and has become dedicated to ensuring those in the Lowcountry and beyond recognize the wealth of history, knowledge, and culture this craft holds. 
The “Sweetgrass” exhibit will acknowledge the African-American heritage of the baskets and its makers, with a primary focus on how and why the baskets were used in the Lowcountry and the shift from utility to art.

The baskets, photographs, and artwork are from Avery Research Center collections.  Baskets created by youth during the Next Generation Project
will also be included.
McKinley Washington Auditorium and Cox Gallery
Exhibit through May 10, 2010.

Visit our Events Page for a full listing of Avery's
upcoming programs and events.

"Advocacy and Activism"

An Exhibition in Observance of the Centennial of the NAACP
Curated by: Curtis J. Franks

Early in the 20th century, African Americans were subjected to numerous injustices, including lynching and other acts of terrorism. To counter these blatant attacks and to secure basic citizenship, the NAACP began a strategic plan of "Advocacy and Activism." Titled after this strategy, this exhibition places special emphasis on the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) activities in the state of South Carolina. The exhibition includes photographs, documents, membership cards, buttons, post cards from the Center's collections and loans from private donors. Interwoven in this exhibition, is the creative art work of
fiber artist Zelda Grant.

Photo above shows Charleston branch NAACP activists. From left to right: Charles Mason, treasurer of local NAACP branch; John Chisolm, business partner of J. Arthur Brown; Etta Clark, local businesswoman and NAACP activist; and NAACP President, J. Arthur Brown.

Materials from Avery Research Center collections featured in this exhibition include those from the James E. Campbell Collection; J. Michael Graves Collection; Ethelyn Murray Parker Collection; William Saxton (Pope) Wilson Collection; Charleston NAACP Collection; Pantovic Collection; J. Arthur Brown Collection; Avery Research Center Photographic Collection; Dr. Benjamin Whipper Collection; Lucille Whipper Collection and materials from Mrs. Hermine Stanyard.

Exhibition through December 18, 2009
Changing Gallery - 2nd Floor

"Esau Jenkins: A Retrospective View of the Man and His Times"

This exhibition developed in 1991 by the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture, chronicles the myriad of activities Mr. Jenkins was intimately involved in. It highlights his leadership skills as a conscious and compassionate community activist, organizer, entrepreneur and Civil Rights leader. More...