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About Us

The David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora

Who We Are

The Driskell Center is a creative incubator dedicated to a world where Black artists exist at its center. We invite inquiry, experimentation, and dialogue to reexamine histories and shape shared futures. 

Our Mission

The David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora at the University of Maryland, College Park, honors the legacy of David C. Driskell  (1931-2020) —distinguished university professor emeritus of art, artist, art historian, collector, curator and philanthropist— by preserving the rich heritage of African American visual art and culture. Established in 2001, the Driskell Center provides an intellectual home for artists, museum professionals, art administrators and scholars who are interested in broadening the field of African diasporic studies. The Driskell Center is committed to collecting, documenting and presenting African American art as well as replenishing and expanding the field.

David C. Driskell Center Staff

Jordana Saggese

Professor, Modern and Contemporary American Art, Art History and Archaeology
Director, David C. Driskell Center for the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora

1214 Cole Student Activities Building
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 314 2615

Abby Eron

Assistant Director, David C. Driskell Center for the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora

(301) 405-6835

David Conway

Senior Archivist, David C. Driskell Center for the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora

301-405-2984

Nicholas Hemenway

Program Administrative Specialist, David C. Driskell Center for the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora

(301) 314 2615, (301) 314 2619

Joohee Kim

PhD Candidate, Contemporary American Art, Art History and Archaeology
Graduate Assistant, David C. Driskell Center for the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora

Cléa Massiani

PhD Candidate, Contemporary Art history, Outsider Art and Disabilities studies, Art History and Archaeology
David C. Driskell Center for the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora

Korey Richardson

Preparator, David C. Driskell Center for the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora
Preparator, University of Maryland Art Gallery