While Ronald lectured at universities and traveled the world, Patricia accumulated an art collection valued at more than $2.5 million. Now — nearly a decade after her husband’s death from cancer — she’s preparing to donate 152 pieces to Howard University, her husband’s academic home for 25 years. Kathryn Coney-Ali, interim director of the Howard University Gallery of Art, called the gift “a wonderful, magnificent addition” to the collection that exists on Howard’s campus. When Walters started collecting, African American art was not the commodity it is now. These people have fueled the American psyche, they have added to it.”ADADAt the same time, African American art and history is more accessible, because of institutions such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Coney-Ali said.

Source: Washington Post January 28, 2020 01:52 UTC