John T. Scott papers

The John T. Scott papers contain materials relating to Scott’s work as an artist and teacher in New Orleans, Louisiana. The collection consists of exhibition announcements and catalogs featuring Scott’s artwork, correspondence with fellow board and committee members of local artistic organizations, Scott’s drawings and designs, and collected material from his time as an art professor at Xavier University. The collection also includes correspondence from art galleries and museums, as well as correspondence with fellow artists like Lin Emery, David Driskell, and Martin Payton.

The exhibition announcements and catalogs span from the 1960s to the 1990s and represent art galleries and museums across the United States. Scott was a board member for several local artistic groups such as the Arts Council of New Orleans and the Louisiana State Arts Council. He also worked closely with Mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial on several artistic projects, and was a prominent member of Morial’s Committee for Arts and Cultural Development. These board and committee files feature correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports.

Scott was the artistic director for the “I’ve Known Rivers” art project featured at the 1984 World’s fair in New Orleans and the bulk of the drawings and designs in the collection are mostly related to this project.  Scott worked with Sybil Morial for the project which created a 10,000 square foot pavilion displaying the history of African Americans as well as celebrating their achievements in the fields of art, science, business, and politics.

Scott taught art at Xavier University and was the chair of the art department from 1970-1984. His work as an educator for a wide variety of classes including sculpting, drawing, and printmaking are highlighted within the Xavier files. These files encompass correspondence, student evaluations, class syllabi, and collected newsletters. The student evaluations offer glowing reviews of not only Scott’s artistic talent, but his outstanding character as a person and mentor.

Scott was an active and beloved member of the New Orleans Art community and his collection showcases the passion and love he had for the arts and his hometown.