The Baum Gallery is currently showing a multitude of pieces in its exhibit Source of Light: The Hearne Collection, by all Black artists, including works by artists dating back to the 1820s. 

“Works in this gallery include printmaking, bronze, clay, alabaster, photography, fiber art, oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, artists’ books, and others,” according to UCA.edu.

While the sources of the works differ, the collection offers a deep connection with the elements of visual and literary arts. 

Juan Rodriguez, a collector from New York, eased the process of the loan, making The Hearne Collection a possibility for the Baum Gallery. 

Walking into the gallery, one is overwhelmed by what to take in first. 

Each artist displayed diverse methods of art with separate narratives. The pieces themselves all had a different story, making it even more intriguing to try and digest. 

Each gallery has a different purpose and the three collections are categorized by the eras they were made in. 

When walking through the first gallery, you’re introduced to the artist of the early 20th century. 

These pieces are more floral and landscape-like, with a few that are original in their own way. 

My favorite of the first collection is Henry Ossawa Tanner’s Banjo Lesson, a mixed media piece. 

The piece conveys the visual of a banjo lesson between an older man and a small child, making the viewer awe at the precision and detail. 

Heading into the next collection, the biggest gallery, there’s almost too much to digest, but in a principled way. 

The second room features artists Ron Adams, Jacob Lawrence, James Van Der Zee, and many more. 

There are sculptures as well as paintings that line most of the walls completely. To say the least, the second collection was eye-catching in many ways, creating the complexity of “where to start.” 

Luckily, I was able to interview Baum Gallery’s Director, Brian Young, and ask him about the importance of the second gallery. 

Young said, “In the big gallery — if you were a young BA or BFA student — there are many different media for you to explore … to see how different artists approach those different media.” 

The final gallery is a special collection of “powerful works” by artist Lousie Mandumbwa, former UCA alumni, Class of 2020. 

“Mandumbwa has also been mentored and represented by Hearne Fine Art since 2017,” according to UCA.edu.

Her computer-figural pieces are beautiful and meticulous, some having multiple media. 

While doing some research on Mandumbwa, I was able to contact one of her models, Senior Patricia Ahounou. 

Ahounou explained the detail and love Mandumbwa gave to her pieces, as well as Mandumbwa’s reassuring and personable demeanor. 

“She did an interview with me so that she could get to know me more and see how she can connect my personality to the drawing,” Ahounou said.