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Jackson, Alexander Brooks A Guide to the Alexander Brooks Jackson Papers RG 17-2B5

A Guide to the Alexander Brooks Jackson Papers RG 17-2B5


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ODU University Archives

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Telephone: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Mel Frizzell

Repository
ODU University Archives
Identification
RG 17-2B5
Title
Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers circa 1965-1981 Date acquired: 01/28/2011
URL:
https://archivesguides.lib.odu.edu/repositories/3/resources/173
Quantity
4.20 Linear Feet
Quantity
1 Hollinger document case, 2 half size Hollinger document cases, 2 oversized boxes boxes
Creator
Jackson, A.B. (Alexander Brooks) (1925-1981)
Language
English .
Abstract
Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson began teaching in the Art department in 1967 as the school's first black faculty member. The contents of this collection include photographs taken and collected by Jackson of miscellaneous subjects, as well as photographs of his artwork and excerpts from his poetry.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Ms. Ann Dearsley-Vernon

Method of Acquisition

Gift. Accession # A2011-01

Processing Information

The collection was processed and finding aid created by Mel Frizzell, Special Collections Assistant, in 2012.

Biographical or Historical Information

Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson was born in New Haven, Connecticut on April 18, 1925 to an Irish mother and an African American father. Jackson spent most of his childhood inside due to asthma, but showed an interest in art at an early age. During his senior year of high-school, Jackson made a pen and ink drawing of William Lyons Phelps, a revered professor at Yale University, and an acquaintance of Jackson's father. After seeing the drawing, Phelps scheduled a meeting between Jackson and the dean of Yale's art school. Soon after his interview and portfolio review, Jackson was admitted in September, 1946. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting in 1953, and a Master of Fine Arts in graphic design in 1955.

Jackson worked for three years at the Watson-Manning Advertising Agency in Stratford, Connecticut as a designer before he began to focus on teaching. He worked briefly as an instructor at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1955, before moving to Norfolk, Virginia in 1956 to teach art at Norfolk State University. Jackson taught there for 10 years, and was chairman for one. In 1967, he joined Old Dominion College (later Old Dominion University) as a full-time professor in the art department and the school's first black faculty member. While at Old Dominion, Jackson participated as a judge in numerous art shows while having several showcases of his own. He was also active in programs for underprivileged youth, including a three year federal Pell grant program to instruct and inspire high-school students of all backgrounds and ethnicities to pursue higher education in 1969.

As an artist, Jackson's work focused primarily on painting and photography, though he also worked with both screen printing processes and sculpture. His work earned him various awards and showcases, in spite of the obstacles that racism presented for him. While Jackson was not a civil rights activist, he believed that art transcended race and was affiliated with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.  Jackson was also active in the Norfolk art community and was a member of the Norfolk Fine Arts Committee. He did art criticism feature writing for the Ledger-Star, the Virginian Pilot's sister afternoon edition, as well as Sight and Sound magazine in Norfolk. His work is represented in the permanent collections of Yale University, Dartmouth College, Mint Museum of Fine Arts, and various other corporate and private collections.

In 1978, Jackson published his book, "As I See Ghent: A Visual Essay", depicting the Ghent district of Norfolk, Virginia, where Jackson resided. The book is composed primarily of photographs and drawings done by Jackson and focuses on the details of Ghent that Jackson found inspiring. The book is reminiscent of Jackson's series of paintings, entitled "The Porch People", in which the subjects are anonymous sitters on their porches in Ghent. Jackson died March 23, 1981, at the age of 55. Following Jackson's death, the Chrysler Museum held a three-site retrospective exhibition of his work. A local television station created a tribute, entitled "Wow, Look at That," one of his trademark catch phrases, to commemorate him.

Note written by Mel Frizzell

Scope and Contents

The contents of this collection include photographs taken and collected by Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson of miscellaneous subjects, as well as photographs of his artwork and excerpts from his poetry. Most of the photographs are copies of the original prints.

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into three series: Series I: Artwork; Series II: Photographs; and Series III: Miscellaneous.

Related Material

As I See Ghent : A Visual Essay, Call #: N 6537.J28 A43

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Artists--United States
  • Jackson, A.B. (Alexander Brooks) (1925-1981)
  • Old Dominion University--Faculty
  • Old Dominion University. Department of Art
  • Photographers--United States

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Jackson, A.B. (Alexander Brooks) (1925-1981)
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Container List

Series I
Series I: Artwork
circa 1965-1981
Scope and Contents

This series contains photographs of artwork done by Jackson. It contains photographs of individual pieces, as well as photos of Jackson's work in a gallery setting.

  • Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
    Box 1
    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1 Folder 1
      Folder 1: Art
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Art, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2 Folder 2
      Folder 2: Art: Untitled
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Art: Untitled, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3 Folder 3
      Folder 3: Negatives: Artwork
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Negatives: Artwork, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
    Box 2
    • Graphic Materials box: 2 Item 1
      "Veronica's Veil"
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      "Veronica's Veil", circa 1965-1981, Box 2, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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Series II
Series II: Photographs
circa 1965-1981
Scope and Contents

This series contains photographs that were taken by or collected by Jackson of subjects such as places, people, and animals.

  • Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
    Box 2
    • Graphic Materials box: 2 Item 2
      Art Students Outside of a House
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Art Students Outside of a House, circa 1965-1981, Box 2, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials box: 3 Box 3
    Box 3
    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 1
      Children Painting Outside
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Children Painting Outside, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 2
      Close-Up of a Man's Face
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Close-Up of a Man's Face, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 3
      Close-Up of a Man's Hand, Playing Pool
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Close-Up of a Man's Hand, Playing Pool, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 4
      Close-Up of Jackson's Face
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Close-Up of Jackson's Face, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 5
      Close-Up of a Woman's Profile
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Close-Up of a Woman's Profile, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 6
      Close-Up of Two Men's Faces
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Close-Up of Two Men's Faces, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 7
      Close-Up of Two Men's Faces
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Close-Up of Two Men's Faces, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 8
      Detail of Balconies on a Building
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Detail of Balconies on a Building, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 9
      Detail of a Shadow on the Side of House
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Detail of a Shadow on the Side of House, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 10
      Headshot of a Woman
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Headshot of a Woman, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 11
      Man at Desk With Rubber Cement
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Man at Desk With Rubber Cement, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 12
      Man Lying on Bench
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Man Lying on Bench, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 13
      Man on Porch, Martin Rogers, Raleigh
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Man on Porch, Martin Rogers, Raleigh, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 14
      Student Posing for Figure Drawing
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Student Posing for Figure Drawing, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 15
      Three Men Smoking
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Three Men Smoking, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 16
      Woman at Desk, Doing Crafts
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Woman at Desk, Doing Crafts, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 17
      Woman Looking Off-Camera
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Woman Looking Off-Camera, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 18
      Woman Looking Out of a Window, Church Street
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Woman Looking Out of a Window, Church Street, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Graphic Materials box: 3 Item 19
      Woman Smoking
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      Woman Smoking, circa 1965-1981, Box 3, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials box: 4 Box 4
    Box 4
    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 1 Folder 1
      Folder 1: Negatives: Animals and Farm Life
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 1, Negatives: Animals and Farm Life, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 2 Folder 2
      Folder 2: Negatives: People and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 2, Negatives: People and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 3 Folder 3
      Folder 3: Animals
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 3, Animals, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 4 Folder 4
      Folder 4: Animals
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 4, Animals, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 5 Folder 5
      Folder 5: Farm Life and People
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 5, Farm Life and People, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 6 Folder 6
      Folder 6: People
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 6, People, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 7 Folder 7
      Folder 7: People
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 7, People, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 8 Folder 8
      Folder 8: People
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 8, People, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 9 Folder 9
      Folder 9: People
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 9, People, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 10 Folder 10
      Folder 10: People
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 10, People, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 11 Folder 11
      Folder 11: People and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 11, People and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 12 Folder 12
      Folder 12: People and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 12, People and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 13 Folder 13
      Folder 13: People and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 13, People and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 14 Folder 14
      Folder 14: People and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 14, People and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 4 folder: 15 Folder 15
      Folder 15: People and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 4, Folder 15, People and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

  • Mixed Materials box: 5 Box 5
    Box 5
    • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 1 Folder 1
      Folder 1: Peoples and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 1, Peoples and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 2 Folder 2
      Folder 2: Peoples and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 2, Peoples and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 3 Folder 3
      Folder 3: Peoples and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 3, Peoples and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 4 Folder 4
      Folder 4: Peoples and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 4, Peoples and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 5 Folder 5
      Folder 5: Peoples and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 5, Peoples and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 6 Folder 6
      Folder 6: Peoples and Places
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 6, Peoples and Places, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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Series III
Series III: Miscellaneous
circa 1965-1981
Scope and Contents

This series contains receipts, notes, and writings by or given to Jackson.

  • Mixed Materials box: 5 Box 5
    Box 5
    • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 7 Folder 7
      Folder 7: Notes and Receipts
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 7, Notes and Receipts, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

    • Mixed Materials box: 5 folder: 8 Folder 8
      Folder 8: Poetry
      circa 1965-1981
      Preferred Citation

      [Identification of item and date], Box 5, Folder 8, Poetry, circa 1965-1981, Alexander Brooks "A.B." Jackson Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

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