The University Galleries
The University Galleries at North Carolina A&T State University are comprised of the H.C. Taylor Gallery and the Mattye Reed Gallery. The University’s art collections have been called the southeast’s largest repository on the history and culture of African American life in North Carolina.
Established in 1956, the H.C. Taylor collection features exhibitions that emphasize cultures and experiences of the African Diaspora. This collection includes works by noted African American artists Romare Bearden, John Biggers, Alma Thomas, Charles Alston, Hale Woodruff and Varnette P. Honeywood.
The Mattye Reed African Heritage collection consists of more than 6,000 artifacts that include sculptures, masks, figures, musical instruments, textiles, and household implements. More than 35 African countries are represented in this permanent collection, among them, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria, as well as Haiti and other countries in the Diaspora.
The University Galleries are located in A&T’s historic Dudley Memorial Building. Built in 1930, the building originally housed the college's administrative offices, in addition to an auditorium and library on the main and top level, respectively. The neoclassical building, designed by noted North Carolina architect Charles C. Hartman, is named for the university's second president James B. Dudley.
The 29,058 square foot building features two floors in addition to a fully raised basement level. A distinctive feature of this building is its use of stone. The building features more stone application than any other building on the university's campus. The building also features a broad sweep of fifteen steps to the main entrance, smooth-face blocks defining a five-bay entrance, intricately carved lintels, full classical entablature, splayed arches with keystones over the eight-over-twelve sash windows, and a hexastyle portico with an incised frieze.
Today, the Dudley building houses the University Galleries and several offices/classrooms for the Department of Visual and Performing Arts. The building’s front lawn is graced with the A&T Four Monument, which honors the four A&T freshmen who made history in 1960 with their sit-in at the Woolworth's lunch counter.
202 University Circle (Dudley Building)
Greensboro, N.C. 27411
Email: Rcarter1@crnabiz.com
Phone: 336-334-3209
Fax: 336-334-4378
Hours of Operation: Mon. - Fri., 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sat. appt. only
Closed: Closed Sundays and university holidays
Location: Between Market Street & Friendly Avenue
Fee: No
Discounts: No
Tour Guide: Yes