NEW ROCHELLE, NY — On November 10, The Ursuline School was honored to host an Opening Night Reception and unveil the newly acquired African American Fine Art Collection in the Gabelli Library. The artwork was donated by Donna Edwards ’75 and her daughters, Danielle and Dionne.
The artwork was presented from the estates of Donna’s parents, Commissioner Theodore U. Edwards and Dr. Ione Louise Dunkley Edwards. The artwork includes: a mixed media piece by Ben Hollis, a limited edition lithograph by Ann Graves Tanksley, an Oil on canvas by Robert Threadgill, a mask by David Davis, and collection of African American historical books.
The event was attended by more than 100 guests from the Ursuline community as well as the Edwards family and members of the Hudson Valley (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and members of Saint Simon the Cyrenian Episcopal Church of New Rochelle. Donna’s Ursuline classmates also came to celebrate this special event. Channel 12 News was on hand to interview.
President Eileen Davidson gave the welcome. Sr. Ann Peterson, OSU offered remarks and a blessing of the art. Then Donna Edwards ’75 shared how important the art was to her family and how special it was to donate it to Ursuline, where her parents had been active in the parents organizations. As a student, Donna had been one of the co-founders of our Black Essence Club so it was fitting that the program included remarks by two current leaders of that club.
The Ursuline School is grateful to be the new home of this beautiful and important collection of art. We are excited to share it with members of the school community for years to come.