The fourth annual “I Am David Hamilton Jackson” student art exhibition paying tribute to the celebrated civil rights activist will open Tuesday with an event from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Fort Frederik Museum on St. Croix.
This annual educational outreach initiative was first launched by the Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (DLAM) in November 2021, honoring the legacies of Jackson’s activism and his impact in advancing civil rights in the territory.
The annual DLAM student exhibit prompts students to be inspired by Jackson’s advocacy and to choose an issue either local or global that they would like to take a stand on by creating artwork that addresses the topic, according to a press release announcing the opening.
Students are taught about the history of labor organizing in the territory and Jackson life’s work, which included establishing the first free newspaper, The Herald, and lobbying for U.S. citizenship for the territory’s residents after the transfer of the islands to American control in 1917. They are then prompted to step into their power as agents of change in their communities by using their artistic voice through creative expression.
This year’s exhibit features a large-scale portrait of Jackson created by a group of students, mixed media works, including writing, that depict Virgin Islands’ heroes, and social justice collages depicting different social issues from Liz Llanos’ American Literature students at the St. Croix Central High School and Danica David’s art students from St. Croix Educational Complex.
The student art show opening on Tuesday is free to the public. The exhibit will remain on display during normal Fort Frederik Museum hours from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, for a $10 admission fee, but it is free for students under 18, with a discounted rate of $5 for Virgin Islands residents.
“The Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums is excited to showcase the creative works of these talented students, inspired by the legacy of David Hamilton Jackson. We encourage as many schools as possible to schedule a free student group tour to Fort Frederik, to experience and engage with this powerful exhibit of young artists’ work,” said DLAM Territorial Director Amy DeSorbo.
The community is also encouraged to visit the Florence Williams Public Library in Christiansted, St. Croix, to view the annual David Hamilton Jackson exhibit. Florence Williams Public Library is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact DLAM Territorial Chief Curator Monica Marin at monica.marin@dpnr.vi.gov or call Fort Frederik Museum at 340-772-2021.
