Ron Tarver (b. 1957), Legends (Philadelphia, PA), 1993. Pigment print, 20 x 26.5 inches. (Credit: Michener Art Museum)
The Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is presenting “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real,” an exhibition running from Feb. 15 to July 27.
The exhibition highlights the work of Lewis Tanner Moore (1953-2024), a collector and advocate for Black artists.
His efforts contributed to expanding representation in museum collections and exhibitions.
The Michener Art Museum is located at 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, PA 18901. The museum operates Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.
Free admission is available on the second Sunday of the month, supported by the Art Bridges Foundation.
A guided exhibition talk, “Exploring the Exhibition: Gallery Talk,” will take place on Thursday, May 8, at 2:30 p.m., with tickets available for $10 for members and $20 for non-members.
Moore’s interest in collecting began in high school when he noticed the lack of artists of African American origin in his textbooks.
In response, he organized an exhibition at Chestnut Hill Academy in 1969, initiating a lifelong effort to bring visibility to Black artists.
Over the years, he curated and contributed to numerous exhibitions, influencing institutions to incorporate more diverse artists into their collections.
Moe Brooker (1940-2022), Yesterday's Dreams are Real, 1996. Mixed media on paper, 41 x 29 3/4 inches. (Credit: Christian Giannelli)His advocacy resulted in the Michener Art Museum acquiring 65 works by artists of color over the past five years.
The exhibition includes work by Moe Brooker, Barbara Bullock, James Brantley, Selma Burke, Donald E. Camp, Syd Carpenter, Paul F. Keene Jr., Allan Randall Freelon, Louis B. Sloan, Ellen Powell Tiberino, and Curlee Raven Holton.
It also features two paintings by Henry Ossawa Tanner that were part of Moore’s collection, as well as etchings from Michener’s archives.
Moore, who was Tanner’s great-nephew, built his collection with a commitment to preserving and promoting Black artistic heritage.
Ellen Powell Tiberino (1937-1992), Portrait of a Woman, ca. 1960. Oil on canvas. (Credit: Christian Giannelli)Holton, one of the featured artists, emphasized Moore’s deep engagement with art and artists.
He noted that Moore’s collection reflected his focus on social justice, historical significance, and cultural identity.
The exhibition’s title, “Yesterday’s Dreams Are Real,” references Moe Brooker’s artwork, which the museum acquired in 2023.
Chief Curator Dr. Laura Turner Igoe described Moore’s passion for discovering and supporting Black artists.
She stated the exhibition encourages visitors to explore their work with the same curiosity and appreciation that Moore embodied.
A memorial for Moore took place in July 2024 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where his great-uncle, Henry Ossawa Tanner, began his career.
