6:00 PM | Members Only | FREE, Ticket Required

Bernard Osher Foundation Auditorium

Join us for the 2025 Barnet Scholars Lecture, a special evening honoring the lasting influence of David C. Driskell as artist, mentor, scholar, and visionary collector.  

This program offers a deep dive into Driskell’s multifaceted impact on American art, exploring his work as both a creator and a collector whose vision transformed the art world. Attendees will learn how his legacy continues through mentorship, community building, and multigenerational creative exchange.  

Presented in conjunction with David C. Driskell: Collector—a landmark exhibition at the Portland Museum of Art (August 29, 2025 – March 1, 2026)—the lecture highlights Driskell’s role in expanding the narrative of American art and supporting generations of Black artists. The exhibition showcases works from the David C. and Thelma G. Driskell Collection alongside his own art, revealing the deep connection between his collecting and creative practices.  

A panel discussion will feature recipients of the David C. Driskell Fellowship, awarded annually by the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA) to students who demonstrate a commitment to advancing Driskell’s mission of fostering community, equality, and understanding through art. Driskell Fellows carry forward his vision of art as a force for social transformation and global dialogue.  

An introduction by Daniel Minter and Marcia Minter (Co-Founders, Indigo Arts Alliance), will be followed by a panel discussion with former David C. Driskell Fellows sharing how Driskell’s values continue to shape their artistic journeys through storytelling, cultural connection, and creative exchange.  

Moderator: 
Jordia Benjamin, Executive Director, Indigo Arts Alliance  

Panelists:  
Rachel Gloria Adams, Rosalba Breazeale, Rikiesha Metzger, Benjamin Spalding 

This program is generously supported by the Will Barnet Foundation.