Dana C. Chandler, Jr. papers
Collection
Identifier: M156
Overview
Dana C. Chandler, Jr., noted African American artist, activist, and educator, was born in Lynn, Mass. in 1941. He was educated in Boston Public Schools, and earned a B.S. in Teacher Education from the Massachusetts College of Art. Chandler participated in the black integrationist movement since his high school years. Chandler joined the black nationalist movement in the 1960s, after witnessing police brutality against a group of peaceful welfare protestors. Chandler has used his art to educate his audience about the history and social conditions of black Americans. His large-scale, boldly-colored paintings and collages depict racial injustice and criticize the commodification of civil rights icons. In recent years, Chandler has lectured about art and activism. In 1970, Chandler was named Boston National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Man of the Year. His art was featured in several national magazines including Encore, Time, Newsweek, and Jet. Chandler was a professor at Simmons College from 1971-2004, where he taught drawing and painting. Frustrated by the lack of quality resources for teaching about black art, Chandler created his own Afrocentric curriculum. In 1973, Chandler's South End studio was ransacked and vandalized. He set up a new studio space in a vacant warehouse building owned by Northeastern University. With the support of future university president Kenneth Ryder, Chandler founded the African American Master Artists-in-Residence Program (AAMARP) in 1974. The program's debut exhibition was held at City Hall, and featured work by Chandler and 12 other artists. Chandler directed AAMARP until 1993, when he resigned after a series of budget cuts. While directing the program, Chandler taught classes at both Simmons College and Northeastern University, lectured at other institutions around the country, and exhibited his work internationally. Chandler has also exhibited under the name Akin Duro. Chandler served as President of the Board of the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) from 1977 to 1986. He was involved with METCO from 1974 to1986 as President, Executive Committee member, and METCO parent. In 2009, Chandler is lecturing and blogging about art, race, and culture under the name Akin Duro.
Dates
- 1973-1991 (bulk 1977-1979)
Creator
- Chandler, Dana C., Jr., 1941- (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection in unrestricted.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Chronology
- 1941 Born in Lynn, MA.
- 1967 Graduates from Massachusetts College of Art, B.S. in Teacher Education.
- 1970 Named Boston NAACP's Man of the Year.
- 1971 Accepts position as associate professor of painting and drawing at Simmons College.
- 1973-1974 Chandler's South End studio is ransacked. Re-established studio on the Northeastern campus.
- 1974-1993 Serves on Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) Board of Directors.
- 1977 The African American Master Artist-in-Residence program is officially established, with Chandler as director.
- 1977-1986 Serves as President of the Board of METCO.
- 1973-2004 Directs AAMARP, teaches courses, creates art, exhibits nationally and internationally, and lectures at institutions across the country.
- 1991-1993 Resigns as director of AAMARP.
- 2004 Retires from his tenured professorship at Simmons College.
- 2004- Continues to create art, lecture, and blog.
- 1941
- Born in Lynn, MA.
- 1967
- Graduates from Massachusetts College of Art, B.S. in Teacher Education.
- 1970
- Named Boston NAACP's Man of the Year.
- 1971
- Accepts position as associate professor of painting and drawing at Simmons College.
- 1973-1974
- Chandler's South End studio is ransacked. Re-established studio on the Northeastern campus.
- 1974-1993
- Serves on Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) Board of Directors.
- 1977
- The African American Master Artist-in-Residence program is officially established, with Chandler as director.
- 1977-1986
- Serves as President of the Board of METCO.
- 1973-2004
- Directs AAMARP, teaches courses, creates art, exhibits nationally and internationally, and lectures at institutions across the country.
- 1991-1993
- Resigns as director of AAMARP.
- 2004
- Retires from his tenured professorship at Simmons College.
- 2004-
- Continues to create art, lecture, and blog.
Extent
.50 cubic feet (1 container)
System of Arrangement:
The materials are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Physical Location
72/4
Immediate Source of Acquisition:
The collection was transferred from the African American Master Artists-in-Residence Program.
Bibliography
- Biographical info from: http://www.bapsodyinblue.com/ArtistBio.htm
- African American art -- Massachusetts -- Boston
- African American artists -- Massachusetts -- Boston
- African American political activists
- Artists -- Massachusetts -- Boston
- Artists -- Political and social views
- Artists as teachers
- Chandler, Dana, Jr.
- Chandler, Dana, Jr.
- Duro, Akin
- Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (Boston, Mass.)
- Outsider artists
Creator
- Chandler, Dana C., Jr., 1941- (Person)
- Title
- Finding aid for the Dana C. Chandler, Jr. Papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Cynthia Rufo
- Date
- January 26, 2009
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Contact:
92 Snell Library
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA 02115 US
archives@northeastern.edu
92 Snell Library
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston MA 02115 US
archives@northeastern.edu