Paul R. Jones Collection of African American Art, Newark

In 2001, the University of Delaware received a large gift of paintings, works on paper, photographs and sculpture from collector and philanthropist Paul R. Jones (1928 – 2010). A lifelong public servant, Jones began collecting art in the mid-1960s, and focused his attention on acquiring works by African American and African diaspora artists—artists who were, at the time, often marginalized and excluded from major museum collections and exhibitions. Jones eventually amassed one of the largest, privately owned collections of African American art. By donating a portion of his collection to UD, Jones affirmed his determination that these works would provide an avenue for people to learn about African American art as part of American art history.