The 2016 book Invisible Hawkeyes: African Americans at the University of Iowa during the Long Civil Rights Era examines the highly visible work of African American student artists and athletes that forced white students, instructors, and administrators to confront their undeniable intellect and talent. By looking at the University of Iowa and a smaller midwestern college town like Iowa City, this book reveals how fraught moments of interracial collaboration, meritocratic advancement, and institutional insensitivity deepen our understanding of America’s painful conversion into a diverse republic committed to racial equality.

This exhibit serves as a companion to the book by placing a spotlight on African American student work and achievements as documented in local sources. Items on display include original plays, musical compositions, poetry and prose, art, and artifacts of athletic accomplishment.

OBJECT LIST

  1. Arthur Clifton Lamb, Black Woman in White, typed draft of playscript. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  2. Program, Beebee, University of Iowa Experimental Theater, 1948. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  3. Invitation card, Beebee, University of Iowa Experimental Theater, 1948. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  4. Arthur Clifton Lamb, Roughshod up the Mountain, typed draft of playscript. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  5. Thomas Pawley, “Three Original One Act Plays of Negro Life,” University of Iowa, Master’s thesis, 1939.
  6. Six production stills, Crispus Attucks, University of Iowa Experimental Theater, 1948. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  7. Program, Crispus Attucks, University of Iowa Experimental Theater, 1948. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  8. Six production stills, Messiah, University of Iowa Experimental Theater, 1948. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  9. Program, Messiah, University of Iowa Experimental Theater, 1948. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  10. University of Iowa Department of Theatre Scrapbook, 1939-1940. Records of the Department of Theatre, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  11. Herbert Nipson, “Fighting Jockeys” Daily Iowan, September 2, 1948.
  12. Michael S. Harper, “Phoenix or All the Things You Are” from “Blues and Laughter,” University of Iowa, Master’s thesis, 1963.
  13. Margaret Walker, “How I Wrote Jubilee,” Chicago: Third World Press, 1972.
  14. Margaret Walker Alexander, “Jubilee: a Civil War novel,” University of Iowa, Ph.D., 1965.
  15. Elizabeth Catlett, “Sculpture in stone: Negro mother and child,” University of Iowa, M.F.A., 1940.
  16. Student Handbook 1945-1946, University Archives, University of Iowa, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  17. Yearbook, University of Iowa, 1955, University Archives, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  18. Oscar Anderson Fuller, “The creation: an oratorio for 12 part symphonic-mixed chorus (unaccompanied) and baritone solo,” University of Iowa, Ph.D., 1942.
  19. Philip Greeley Clapp, letter to Oscar Anderson Fuller, March 9, 1942, Papers of Philip Greeley Clapp, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  20. Philip Greeley Clapp, letter to A. W. Dent, April 24, 1942, Papers of Philip Greeley Clapp, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  21. Oscar Anderson Fuller, “The teaching of music in leading Negro colleges,” University of Iowa, M.A., 1934.
  22. Edison Holmes Anderson, “The historical development of music in the Negro secondary schools of Oklahoma and at Langston University,” University of Iowa, Ph.D., 1957.
  23. Mitchell Southall, letter to Philip Greeley Clapp, January 24, 1953, Papers of Philip Greeley Clapp, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  24. Philip Greeley Clapp, letter to Mitchell Southall, January 30, 1953, Papers of Philip Greeley Clapp, Special Collections, The University of Iowa Libraries.
  25. Mitchell B. Southall, “Impromptu Militaire,” New York: G. Schirmer, 1944.
    Mitchell B. Southall, “Impromptu in D minor,” New York: G. Schirmer, 1944.
    Mitchell B. Southall, “Elf Dance,” New York: G. Schirmer, 1944.
    Mitchell B. Southall, “Romance for the piano,” New York: G. Schirmer, 1943.

EXHIBITION CREDITS

Exhibit Curation

  • Lena Hill, Associate Professor of English and African American Studies, Interim Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice President, and Senior Associate to the President
  • Michael Hill, Associate Professor of English and African American Studies & Chair of African American Studies
  • Katie Buehner, Head, Rita Benton Music Library

Preparation and Installation

  • Giselle Simón & Bill Voss, UI Conservation Lab

Design

  • Kalmia Strong, UI Libraries Creative Coordinator

Exhibit Guide Editing, Web Site, Publicity, and Other Assistance

  • Ken Clinkenbeard, UI Libraries Web Services Specialist
  • Jennifer Masada, UI Libraries Strategic Communications Manager
  • Colleen Theisen, UI Special Collections

Financial Support for the Exhibition

  • Friends of the UI Libraries