Telfair Academy in Savannah has unveiled the Walter and Linda Evans Gallery of African American Art, a permanent gallery dedicated to late 19th and early 20th-century African American artworks. The gallery is named for collectors Walter and Linda Evans, who donated 28 works from their collection in 2023. The space, originally the Dining Room, underwent a full restoration and opens to the public on February 6, 2025, after a sold-out reception. The exhibition highlights the challenges and successes of African American artists and the emergence of cultural centers in the Midwest and Northeast, while also reflecting on Telfair's historical relationships with local African American artists.
This opening matters because it establishes a permanent institutional home for African American art in a historic Southern museum, addressing a long-standing gap in representation. Walter Evans noted that even 20 years ago, it was rare to see African American art displayed in U.S. museums. The gallery not only enriches Telfair's storytelling of 19th and 20th-century art history but also serves as a vital lens for understanding African American contributions to art and culture in Savannah and the Southeast, marking a significant step toward inclusivity in the region's arts landscape.