DR. DAVID C. DRISKELL

Dr. David C. Driskell is a preeminent artist and art historian, collector, curator, teacher, and scholar who is also widely considered the nation's leading authority on African-American art. Dr. Driskell has dedicated his professional life to the study of the African-American Diaspora from multidisciplinary perspectives. He began his teaching career at Talladega College in 1955 and also chaired Art Departments at Howard and Fisk Universities. He recently retired as Distinguished University Professor of Art Emeritus from the University of Maryland, where he taught for twenty-two years, including five years as Chair of the Art Department. In 1998, the University of Maryland honored Dr. Driskell with the opening of the David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the African Diaspora. Dr. Driskell was recognized in 2000 by then-President Bill Clinton as a National Humanities Medal recipient.

A noted curator, he has served for over two decades as the personal curator for the art collection of Camille and William H. Cosby, Jr. He is also a close personal friend and trusted cultural advisor to the Cosby Family. As a recognized lecturer, Dr. Driskell has taken an exhibition of his personal art collection on tour to museums throughout the United States. The exhibition is presented as Narratives of African American Art: The David C. Driskell Collection. His own paintings are in many public and private collections throughout the world.. Dr. Driskell is also a member of Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ.

West Window of Sanctuary, David Driskell, Artist 1990

The emerging Christ figure in this window is familar to parishioners since she graces the Church logo and appears on the cover of the order of service each Sunday. Finely crafted faceted glass blend in almost patriotic, yet thematic colors in a tribute to African American woman. She seems to walk on the water with a cross and trumpet in one hand and the Tree of Life in the other. She symbolizes the Christ. She stands firmly, shoeless and unbowed, almost level with the Eye of God symbol between a sailing ship and a nuclear family group in the rays of the rising sun. The center circular panel seems to magnify her midriff enclosing a manger scene and a dancing figure by the water. A chain trails down the center of and links to a scroll shouting “Free at Last!”

This window celebrates the life, contribution, hope, the redemptive suffering and glory of African American women in the family, church and nation. Without sandals, she is firmly erect above the waters and stands on the holy ground amidst an array of strong religious symbols. Moving from the left on the lower half of the window are two fish (salvation comes from triune God), three candles (The Trinity, the Word providing light to her feet), her sandals left behind to enter on holy ground as Moses before the burning bush, rose (new Life), three wheels (trinity), and bread, chalice, grapes (priestly functions combined with ruler ship, the fruit of the earth, the staff of life). On the upper half she is between the Alpha and Omega (first and last letters of the Greek alphabet signifying Jesus as beginning and the end of all things). She carries in one hand the Cross of Glory and holds on to a trumpet (call to worship or judgment) and in the other she clings to a tree of life with a dove of peace and another dove with an olive branch (peace, forgiveness, and opportunity for new life). The tree also has three apples and a family at its roots (hope for future). In the center circle, her midriff contains symbols of the birth of Jesus and to the left of the chain, she dances celebrating life and life to come. The Amistad here the “Ship of Zion” represents freedom, education, and direction rooted in the Church’s mission.

A glorious window indeed and a stunning tribute to Black women everywhere who are bond holding together our roots and traditions, while preserving and sustaining the Church. They also are the life giving and sustaining force, doing God’s work, giving birth to the Creator’s children, educating the young, and setting the tune and rhythm of life to be.

East and West Windows were fabricated by Lynchburg Stain Glass Company, Lynchburg, Virginia.

For more information about the artist, Dr. David A. Driskell (click here).