Above: Alvin C. Hollingsworth (American, 1928–2000). Paris Blues, 1993–94. Painting on board. Collection of the Hudson River Museum. Gift of Marjorie HollingsworthMitchell, 2021 (2021.13.6)
The Hudson River Museum is set to unveil a groundbreaking exhibition, Alvin C. Hollingsworth: And All That Jazz, showcasing the work of one of America’s most versatile and dynamic Black artists. Running from December 13, 2024, to April 27, 2025, the exhibition features never-before-seen paintings, prints, and illustrations by Hollingsworth, many of which were recently donated by Marjorie Hollingsworth Mitchell, the artist’s widow, along with contributions from local collectors.
Alvin Carl Hollingsworth (1928–2000), also known as A.C. Hollingsworth, was a pioneering figure whose career spanned comic books, fine art, and social activism. His work vividly captures the essence of the Black experience in America, exploring themes of jazz, the celebration of Black women, and the complex interplay between art and social justice.
The exhibition marks the first major museum presentation of Hollingsworth’s work in over half a century, offering an intimate look at his prodigious career. From his early success as a comic book artist during the Golden Age of Comics in the 1940s and 1950s to his later evolution into figurative expressionism and abstraction, Hollingsworth’s work reflects an artist unafraid to reinvent himself.
In the 1960s, Hollingsworth became a member of Spiral, the influential artist collective formed during the civil rights movement. The group debated whether African American artists should prioritize political activism in their work or focus on pure aesthetics. This intellectual exchange fueled Hollingsworth’s lifelong exploration of social issues, granting him the creative freedom to experiment with multiple styles and mediums.
Through paintings, prints, comic art, and related ephemera, And All That Jazz celebrates Hollingsworth’s legacy as a trailblazer who brought Black culture, music, and social concerns to the forefront of American art. The exhibition not only honors his contributions to art history but also introduces his work to a new generation of collectors and enthusiasts.
As the Hudson River Museum brings Hollingsworth’s story to light, it underscores a broader cultural shift: a long-overdue recognition of artists whose work has shaped the nation’s identity.
Shilpi Chandra, HRM’s Assistant Curator, states: “Alvin C. Hollingsworth broke many barriers during a fertile artistic career that spanned five decades. We are grateful to Marjorie Hollingsworth Mitchell and the Hollingsworth family for this gift of more than thirty works, which allows us to present this exhibition and highlight Hollingsworth’s significant and fascinating career.”
A committed educator, Hollingsworth taught at the Art Students League, through a 1970s TV show You’re Part of Art on NBC, and for thirty years at Hostos Community College as a professor of art. Born and raised in Harlem, he moved to Hastings-on-Hudson in the early 1970s with his family, where he resided until his death in 2000, while continuing to maintain a studio in Lower Manhattan.
