UA to Host Memorial Tribute for Paul R. Jones, Founder of UA Jones Collection of American Art

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Black Faculty and Staff Association and the College of Arts and Sciences will honor the late Paul R. Jones at a memorial tribute March 10 at 4:30 p.m. in the Hotel Capstone ballroom on the UA campus.

Jones, one of the nation’s most respected collectors of African-American art, died Jan. 26 in Atlanta after a brief illness. He donated 1,700 pieces of art valued at $5 million to UA in 2008, now known as The Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art at The University of Alabama.

“We considered him a friend and a very huge supporter of the Black Faculty and Staff Association,” said Dr. Priscilla N. Davis, president of the association and a professor in the College’s department of communicative disorders. “He knew what we were about, and he loved the students. We think it is appropriate that we honor him and his memory because of the wonderful contributions he made to the community.”

Speaking at the memorial will be Davis; Dr. Robert Olin, dean of the UA College of Arts and Sciences; Brian K. Fair, Paul Jones Collection Advisory Board chairman; Dr. Samory Pruitt, UA vice president for community affairs; Dr. Amalia Amaki, curator of the collection; artist Freddie Styles of Atlanta, whose work is part of the collection; and Molly Brooke Threadgill, a UA senior whose artwork also is part of the collection.

The UA Afro-American Gospel Choir will perform at the memorial. A reception will follow the event.

For more information on Jones’ life, click here.