As part of Black History Month, NewsNation is commemorating innovative and artistic trailblazers within the Black community who have made a lasting impact on the arts and broken down barriers for other minority artists in the United States and around the globe.
When she first began drawing and painting as a child, she could not have foreseen the profound influence that her travels and interactions with people would have on her life’s work.
Similar to many influential Black artists of her era, the discrimination she faced played a significant role in shaping the legacy she left behind for future generations of aspiring artists.
Born in 1905 in Boston, Jones was the daughter of an attorney and a cosmetologist. Her father, Thomas Vreeland Jones, was a pioneer like her, becoming the first African American to earn a law degree from Boston’s Suffolk Law School.
Nurtured to express herself through art from a young age, Jones pursued her passion at the School of Practical Arts in Boston and later through evening classes at [University Name].
At the age of 17, Jones held her inaugural solo exhibition at her family’s residence on Martha’s Vineyard, marking the beginning of numerous showcases that evolved in complexity and significance as her life and career progressed.
Upon completing her studies at [University Name], Jones initially worked as a textile designer before transitioning to fine arts. She sustained herself as an artist through teaching.
Although she aspired to secure a teaching position at her alma mater, Jones found herself teaching at Palmer Memorial Institute in North Carolina before eventually joining the faculty at Howard University, where she taught from 1930 to 1977.
In 1937, Jones was awarded a fellowship to study in Paris, an experience that exposed her to the significance of African tribal art. While her early art depicted scenes from the French countryside and cultural elements of Parisian life, her work soon delved into more profound themes, capturing the societal struggles of people of color.
Jones’ artistic style evolved during her summer visits to New York at the onset of the Harlem Renaissance. Trips to Haiti also influenced her artistry, with her exploration of masks from various non-Western cultures infusing her paintings with the spirit and essence of her ancestry.
Inspired by the vibrant colors and rich culture of the Caribbean during her time in Haiti, Jones flourished as an artist despite the significant opposition and prejudices she faced due to her gender and race.
Preferring to submit her artwork to museum exhibitions anonymously to avoid bias, Jones encountered challenges due to her identity being revealed as a Black woman, leading to the loss of an art award.
The racial and gender biases she confronted prompted Jones to relocate abroad, first to Paris following the fellowship and later to Haiti, where she married Haitian artist Louis Vergniaud Pierre-Noel in 1953, further immersing herself in island life and customs.
Encouraged by individuals she met in Haiti to seek opportunities abroad, Jones found greater artistic freedom and acceptance as a Black artist. Her notable works include [Artwork Names], showcasing her talent and creativity across different mediums and themes.
In 1973, Jones made history as the first African American to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Her exceptional contributions to the arts were recognized by President Jimmy Carter in 1980.
Acknowledged as a “Living Legend” by the National Black Arts Festival in 1990, Jones’s legacy embodies the essence of a fulfilling life and the enduring impact of one’s contributions.
In a 1995 interview, Jones emphasized the importance of finding passion in life and making meaningful contributions to society, reflecting on the fulfillment derived from such endeavors.
Jones passed away at the age of 93 on June 9, 1998, in Washington, D.C., and was laid to rest in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.