Westfield State professor unveils Frederick Douglass portrait at Mechanics Halls in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. – Mechanics Hall in Worcester showcased the unveiling of three commissioned portraits of 19th-century Black Americans during the “Beyond Frames” event on Thursday, March 14, as part of the Portraits Project at the Hall.

Among the contributors was Dr. Imo Nse Imeh, an Associate Art Professor at Westfield State University, who presented his portrait of Frederick Douglass, the formerly enslaved civil rights leader, orator, and writer. The event also featured portraits of Worcester business owners and abolitionists William Brown and Martha Ann Tulip Lewis Brown, painted by Brenda Zlamany of Brooklyn, N.Y., and formerly enslaved abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth, painted by Manu Saluja of Long Island, N.Y. These three portraits mark the first additions to the 167-year-old concert hall’s collection since 1999.

Kathleen Gagne, Executive Director of Mechanics Hall and co-chair of the Portraits Project, described the occasion as historic for both Mechanics Hall and the vibrant community. She emphasized the significance of sharing the stage with these paintings of Black Americans who led extraordinary lives of courage, inspiring pride and hope in the community, especially among children.

The Mechanics Hall Portrait Gallery is dedicated to honoring 19th-century Worcester innovators, social reformers, Civil War heroes, and political leaders. The addition of the four impactful Black Americans, including two formerly enslaved individuals, reflects the values of the Worcester County Mechanics Association, which founded Mechanics Hall in 1857. This expansion follows the inclusion of four prominent women from the same period in 1999.

Dr. Imeh, a visual artist and scholar of African Diaspora art, focuses his work on historical and philosophical issues surrounding the Black body and cultural identity. His artwork is held in esteemed collections such as the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art, University Museum of Contemporary Art University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Danny Simmons Collection of Art. Dr. Imeh has received recognition including the Mass Cultural Artist Fellowship and grants from the Holyoke and Springfield Cultural Council, and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.