Floyd Newsum, a visionary African American artist and professor of art at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) community, passed away last week at the age of 76. He was a key figure in the creation of Project Row Houses in the historic Third Ward of Houston back in 1993.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church (3826 Wheeler Avenue) in Houston.
Newsum, who taught at UHD for over 48 years, impacted countless students through his courses in drawing, painting, printmaking, and art appreciation. In honor of his legacy, UHD plans to establish an endowed scholarship named the Floyd Newsum Visionary Artist and Humanitarian Scholarship, focusing on art and social justice.
“Professor Newsum was more than an artist, more than a teacher,” said Loren J. Blanchard, president of the university. “He was a connector, a motivating force who worked to touch lives every day and who brought people together in remarkable ways. His art was intricately linked with his desire to nurture young artists and invest in the next generation of change agents, not only here at UHD but also in the historic Third Ward of Houston and even in communities he visited when his art was on view.”
The life and works of Floyd Newsum
Newsum, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, graduated from Memphis College of Art with a BFA in 1973 and went on to earn an MFA from Temple University in 1975.
His art has been featured in numerous exhibitions across the U.S. and is part of permanent collections in several prestigious museums, including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Newsum’s artistic contributions extend to public art installations, including sculptures and paintings in various locations, showcasing his passion for social justice and civil rights issues.
He recently received a large-scale retrospective exhibition titled “Evolution of Sight” at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin, highlighting his impactful career and artistic evolution.
Newsum was also a co-founder of Project Row Houses, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Black culture through community engagement and art. His contributions to this initiative and his efforts to mentor young artists will always be remembered.
“Our hearts are heavy with the news of Floyd Newsum’s passing. He was not just an artist, but a mentor, a visionary force for positive change,” expressed PRH, reflecting on the impact Newsum had on the organization and the community.
Newsum’s legacy lives on through his art, his teachings, and the countless lives he touched throughout his career.