William Skeet Jiggetts, a longtime art collector and trustee of several museums, founded the Museum of African American Art Collections (MAAAC) to celebrate Black collectors and display their private holdings. The organization's inaugural exhibition, “Collectors’ Life,” runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 30 at Awbury Arboretum’s Cope House Gallery in Germantown, featuring works curated by local collectors including Diana Tyson, Stephanie A. Daniel, Vashti Dubois, Dr. Robyn Jones, and Adrian Moody. Two accompanying talks will explore portraiture and the evolving relationship between collectors and artists.
This exhibition matters because it challenges the perception that art collecting is exclusive to the wealthy, highlighting instead the contributions of everyday collectors—teachers, professors, and working people—who support artists and preserve cultural heritage. By bringing private collections into public view, MAAAC amplifies the often-unsung role of Black collectors in the art world and fosters broader access to notable works by African American artists.