About Our Center

Located in the Jefferson School City Center, The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center’s mission is to honor and preserve the rich heritage and legacy of the African-American community of Charlottesville-Albemarle, Virginia and to promote a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the contributions of African Americans and peoples of the Diaspora.

Located in the Jefferson School City Center, The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center’s mission is to honor and preserve the rich heritage and legacy of the African-American community of Charlottesville-Albemarle, Virginia and to promote a greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the contributions of African Americans and peoples of the Diaspora locally, nationally and globally.
The Center features a permanent historical exhibit, a rotating contemporary art gallery, and a robust calendar of events, all of which combine to highlight Charlottesville’s African American history and culture of the African diaspora.

It’s Thursday 5:28 pm EST — We’re open. Come visit us!

Heritage Center Hours

Daily: 3 pm – 6 pm, Sat 10 am - 12 pm

Mon, Sun - Closed

Contemporary Gallery

Charlottesville Collects African American Art of the 20 and 21st Century

From 30 Jan 2021 until 01 May 2021
Image Credit: JSAAHC

The exhibition features work by African American artists working in all mediums from collections in Charlottesville. The 15 artists on view wether working in a realist or abstract form engage the viewer in a discourse about the intersection of art practice and identity. Whether defining themselves as a black artist or an artist who happens to be black their social commentary creates space for consideration of Gayatari Spivaks definition of alterity wherein personal and historic narratives become central to creativity.

Adama Delphine Fawundu: Radiance from the Waters May 29 – August 28, 2021

From 29 May 2021 until 28 Aug 2021
 Image Credit: Image Courtesy Of The Artist

Adama Delphine Fawundu’s work is about finding ways to connect with her kin – those who descend from the dispersed peoples of African descent. Her artistic language includes photography, printmaking, video, sound and assemblage. She was nominated for and won the Rema Hort Mann Emerging Artist Award, OkayAfrica’s 100 Women making an impact on Africa and its Diaspora and included in the Royal Photographic Society’s (UK) Hundred Heroines, in 2018. she is an artist-in-residence at the Center for Book Arts.

Featured Artist

Frank Walker (1953-present)

Frank Walker is a native Charlottesvillian who had his first exhibition at the age of 13 in the backyard of a family friend. He and late artists Gerry Mitchell and Earl “Buddy” Gordon hung their works along a clothesline. He credits this moment to his first sale and the realization that he could make money as an artist. He attended VCU for a year before going to Vietnam where he was able to work as a graphic designer. Upon his return from service, he began working as a medical illustrator at the University of Vir-ginia Medical Center.

Spotlight Events & Programs

Entry to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is free. However, owing to limited space in exhibition galleries, visitors must now obtain a general admission ticket to visit. Groups are limited to no more than eight people. Groups must obtain a timed group ticket. 

Hours

Daily 3.00 am–6.00 pm

Location

233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903

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Jefferson Heritage African American Center © 2020. All Rights Reserved
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