Paul F. Keene papers, circa 1940-1987

Collection Information

Size: 1 Microfilm reel

Summary: This microfilm collection of the papers of African American painter and educator Paul F. Keene consists of correspondence regarding Keene's application for the Whitney Fellowship, Mr. Whitney's purchase of a painting, and a letter from Humbert Howard regarding an award and exhibition of Keene's painting at the Pyramid Club; diplomas; and painting inventories. Also included is a scrapbook containing portraits of Keene as a student, his time in Paris, and of his exhibitions, as well as a letter from the Whitney regarding an exhibition. Photographs and printed material are also included in the collection. Photographs depict Keene's paintings; family; students at Tyler; Keene and fellow artists in front of Galerie Huit in Paris; Keene's apartment; friends in Paris and Haiti; and Keene teaching at Philadelphia College of Art.

Biographical/Historical Note

Paul F. Keene, Jr. (1920-2009) was an African American painter and educator in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A Tuskegee Airman in WWII, Keene used his G.I. Bill to study at Academie Julian in Paris. While in Paris, he was a founding member of Galerie Huit, a collective gallery for American artists. Keene received a John J. Whitney fellowhip and studied and taught in Haiti from 1952-1954. He also exhibited his work while there. Upon his return to the United States, Keene taught at the Philadelphia College of Art, the Tyler School of Art at Temple University, and at Bucks County Community College.

Provenance

Microfilmed in 1988 as part of AAA's Philadelphia Arts Documentation Project.

Language Note

English .

Location of Originals

• Originals returned to the lender, Paul Keene, after microfilming.