Events

Current Exhibition

May 1970: The Gibbs-Green Tragedy at Jackson State College - Photographs by Doris Derby

August 4 - September 29, 2023 These documentary photographs by civil rights activist Dr. Doris Derby are a moving and historic look into the events surrounding the killing of Phillip Gibbs and James Earl Green during police shootings on Jackson State campus on the night of May 14, 1970, murders for which no one has ever been charged. The exhibition was organized and sponsored by the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi.

Past Exhibitions

Lasting Impressions: Responses to the Paul R. Jones Collection by Printmaking 321

May 5 - July 28, 2023

Michael C. Thorpe: Nonsensical Formalism

March 3 - April 28, 2023

Patterns of Creativity: A Collaboration with Alberta School of Performing Arts

January 23 - February 24, 2023

Cedric Smith: Horsepower

October 7 - December 9, 2022

November 3, Artist Lecture, Camellia Room, Gorgas Library, 4:30 p.m.

Recent Acquisitions: Additions to the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art at The University of Alabama 2015 – 2022

August 5 - September 23, 2022

Current and Past Exhibitions at the Paul R. Jones Museum

Visiting the Museum

Admission to the museum is free. Hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., First Fridays, 12 noon–8 p.m. The Paul R. Jones Museum is an essential part of the education and development of UA students and our community. Visitors are encouraged but not required to wear face coverings inside the gallery. Have questions or need assistance? Call (205) 345-3038 for more information. Main website: https://paulrjones.museums.ua.edu/

About the Museum

The Paul Jones Museum, located in the heart of downtown Tuscaloosa, presents a year-round schedule of exhibitions of works from the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art at The University of Alabama as well as hosts guest exhibitions.

The museum is named for Paul R. Jones, a passionate collector of African American art. In 2008, Jones donated a portion of his collection — over 1,700 pieces — to The University of Alabama. The museum honors  Mr. Jones’ vision of art, community and continuous learning by hosting lecture series, concerts, workshops, and theatrical performances.  The Paul R. Jones Museum is also a classroom for the arts, where students from kindergarten to college experience learning in a new and exciting environment. The museum is designed to share the works of American artists and their significance with the people of Alabama and beyond and to be used to educate students on the importance of art in life. Works from the collection are on exhibit year-round at the museum and are exhibited in galleries on The University of Alabama campus and at other educational institutions and venues. The collection is incorporated into curricula at The University of Alabama, providing students with opportunities to learn and experience the significance of art first-hand.

The Collection

The Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art at The University of Alabama includes one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of 20th-century African American art in the world, amassed over decades by Paul Raymond Jones, who has been described by Art & Antiques magazine as “one of the top art collectors in the country.” Jones donated the 1,700-plus piece collection valued at more than $10.3 million to the College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Alabama in October 2008. An additional 300 works were added in 2013, bringing the total to over 2,000 works. The collection includes art in a variety of media from more than 600 artists.

Museum Staff

Daniel White, Director   Emily Bibb, Curator

News & Exhibitions

View press releases and news articles about the museum, collection and lecture series. Browse an archive of past exhibitions held at the museum. The Paul R. Jones Collection and Museum are featured in WVUA 23’s Spirit of Alabama with Mike Royer The Paul R. Jones Museum is featured in this video (below) by Tuscaloosa Tourism.