Lincoln University Announces Vision for Welcome Center and Museum, Permanent Home for Dawkins ’77 Art Collection

Lincoln University of Missouri marked a significant moment in its 160-year history during Homecoming with the unveiling of a new addition to alumna Florene C. Dawkins' '77 donated art collection - and a vision for ensuring that collection can educate and inspire generations to come. During "The Creation of a Collection," exhibit on Sept. 24 in Memorial Hall, Lincoln University announced plans for a proposed Welcome Center and Museum that would create a permanent home for the university's growing art collection while establishing a new gateway for prospective students, families, alumni and visitors to campus.

As one of the nation's HBCUs, Lincoln has long been a place where history, education and opportunity intersect. Dawkins' gift builds upon that legacy, bringing works by significant Black artists and cultural voices, along with art and artifacts representing cultures from around the world, to the university.

"Florene Dawkins has entrusted Lincoln University with more than a remarkable collection of art; she has entrusted us with stories, history and culture," President John B. Moseley said. "Our vision is for this to become the nation's premier HBCU art museum, a place that celebrates the depth, beauty and cultural legacy of Black art and history while showcasing Lincoln University's own remarkable collection."

The university has set a $6 million fundraising goal to support construction of the proposed facility and establish an endowment for its ongoing operation. Planned for the corner of Lafayette and Dunklin streets, behind the Lincoln University brick marquee, the center would bring together two important university functions: welcoming future Blue Tigers through the Office of Admissions and preserving and sharing artwork entrusted to Lincoln University.

A Permanent Home for Art - and a New Front Door to Lincoln

The proposed Lincoln University Welcome Center and Museum would provide dedicated space for the Office of Admissions alongside museum galleries designed to make the university's art collection more accessible to students, scholars and visitors.

Plans include a permanent gallery for artwork owned by Lincoln University, a separate gallery for traveling exhibitions and a flexible classroom-style space. Museum groups could use the space to discuss exhibitions and educational programming, while Admissions could use it to welcome prospective students and families.

The museum would also provide a permanent home for Dawkins' donated collection, ensuring that works she spent a lifetime gathering remain available for future generations to study, experience and enjoy.

Exhibit III: The Creation of a Collection

The announcement came as Lincoln University celebrated Dawkins' third exhibition, "The Creation of a Collection," which highlights her lifelong commitment to collecting artwork, literature and artifacts and her dedication to education and the preservation of visual art, literature, music and cultural history.

This year's exhibition marks the third consecutive Homecoming featuring Dawkins' contributions to Lincoln University. Her first exhibition and gift of original artwork and rare books debuted in 2024, followed by Exhibit II in 2025, which expanded the university's collection with additional art, rare books and manuscripts.

"I want visitors and the students of Lincoln University to know that there are no limitations on beauty, to not box themselves in, to look at everything, to look at the complete picture," Dawkins said in the exhibit materials.

The collection includes works by Charles Criner, Louise Taylor Turner, John T. Biggers, Bernice Sims, Samella Lewis and Charles White, along with masks, artifacts and sculptures representing Africa, North America and South Asia.

Displayed throughout Memorial Hall, the exhibition includes paintings, drawings, prints and historical artifacts. An exhibition library in the lounge extends the experience with literature, paintings, small sculptures, rare books and portfolios by Samella Lewis and Raymond Saunders.

Featured works include Charles Criner's lithograph "The Fish Cleaners," Joe Minter's "Fish Sculpture," original works and prints by John T. Biggers, Charles White's lithograph "Untitled (Head of a Man in Profile)" and three drawings by Samella Lewis. The exhibition also includes two paintings by Louise Taylor Turner and a work by Robert Broderson.

Together, the works reflect history, culture and memory through the perspectives of artists and cultural historians from across generations and around the world. Dawkins' gift ensures that this collection is no longer simply the story of one collector. It is now part of Lincoln University's story, a resource entrusted to the university to preserve, study and share with generations to come.

For more information about the Welcome Center and Museum or opportunities to support the project, contact Steven Reese, executive director of advancement, at [email protected].

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