USC Aiken exhibit to look at life of Lincoln

USC Aiken recently received a contribution of $2,000 from BellSouth to fund the development of a major art exhibition titled, “Portraying Lincoln: Man of Many Faces.” The exhibit will tour nationally from 2007 to 2009.

“‘Portraying Lincoln: Man of Many Faces’ is the first major museum exhibition to demonstrate through the visual arts the multiplicity of responses that the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln have engendered, ”said Michael Fowler, an assistant professor of graphic design at USC Aiken. “ The art works included depict a range of visions of his life—from the historically accurate to the highly interpretive—as a young man, champion of civil rights, emancipator, tough-minded country lawyer, compassionate man of the people, resolute and resourceful legislator, president of the United States, martyred hero, and American icon. ‘Portraying Lincoln’ will present more than 100 examples of visual art, representing the work of more than 90 artists.”

A variety of educational programs will be part of the traveling exhibition. Each program is designed to enhance the themes of the exhibition and appeal to a wide range of visitors’ interests and knowledge. An example of the educational component includes programs for schoolchildren with math, reading, and history lessons in the classroom. Students will prepare to view versions of the exhibit and become involved themselves in hands-on art activities inspired by Lincoln.

The programs are designed to provide greater visitor accessibility to art and to enable visitors to make direct connections among people, ideas, and art. The team that will develop the programs includes an art program developer, a curriculum writer, a history educator, and a designer.

"Lincoln is a role model for all of us in so many ways. Persistence, determination, and conviction helped him to keep focus on his goals—and to achieve them,” said Pat Patton, regional director for BellSouth in Aiken County. “We can all learn from him to stay focused on our goals and to keep moving forward. BellSouth is proud to be a partner with USC Aiken in helping others learn from the life of Lincoln."

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