Artist Jacob Lawrence
ATLANTIC CITY – Stockton University will celebrate the lives of two prominent Atlantic City natives, Sarah Spencer Washington and Jacob Lawrence, with special programs in February at the John F. Scarpa Academic Center in Atlantic City, 3711 Atlantic Ave.
The award-winning documentary, “The Sara Spencer Washington Story,” a film by Royston Scott, will be screened 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 in the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room on the Atlantic City campus.
The event will include the presentation of the first Sara Spencer Washington Scholarship, created by Associate Professor of Chemistry Kelly Keenan to support a biochemistry/molecular biology major who is also civic-minded.
Washington was the founder of Apex News and Hair Company in Atlantic City. She was honored at the 1939 New York World’s Fair as one of the “Most Distinguished Businesswomen” for her Apex empire of beauty company, schools and products.
Sara Spencer Washington.
The program is sponsored by Stockton University Office of Development, Atlantic City Campus Operations, Dr. Kelly Keenan, associate professor of chemistry and School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Stockton Professor of Art History Kate Ogden and Ralph Hunter, Sr., founder of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, will discuss the life and legacy of artist Jacob Lawrence 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, also in the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room.
Lawrence, born in Atlantic City in Sept. 7, 1917, is widely regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Known for his portrayal of African American life, his works are in permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art, Phillips Collection, Whitney Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the White House.
This program is co-hosted by AC DEVCO and the Chelsea Economic Development Corporation.
Both programs are free and open to the public.
