Wayne State University alumna Stephanie James makes outsized impact to advance appreciation of contemporary African American Art

As Director, Curator and Collection Educator for the Mott-Warsh Collection (MWC), one of the largest private collections of art by artists of the African Diaspora, Stephanie James, M.A. ’04, oversees every aspect of the organization. From lending art to national and international museums and local public institutions, to curating rotating exhibits and overseeing the renovation of a permanent home for the collection, James does it all.

After earning her bachelor’s from Eastern Michigan University, James spent five years working in various sectors of visual arts in New York City before returning to Detroit to pursue her M.A. at Wayne State University, invigorated by an engaging course of study that coincided with an internship at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Over the next decade, James worked toward her master’s in art and art history, and the DIA internship turned into a full-time position as assistant curator.

“Wayne State was instrumental in preparing me for my career path as a museum professional,” James said. “In each of my roles, excellence in research, writing and communication have been essential. WSU’s Art History program and its faculty placed great emphasis on developing those skills.”

Some of James’ best Wayne State memories include lectures led by Drs. Horst Uhr, Nancy Locke and Jane M. Blocker. She noted the significance of instructors who leveraged Detroit’s robust art and architectural resources by assigning projects requiring thoughtful examination and analysis of the DIA’s world-class collection or local architecture.

“Experiences that allow for a firsthand connection with the historical subject matter being taught tend to stick with students,” James said.

In 2009, amid budget cuts at the DIA that eliminated her position, James worked on various independent curatorial projects as a contractor for the National Museum of African American History and Culture and other institutions in addition to teaching at Wayne County Community College District. Two years later, she joined the Mott-Warsh Collection as assistant curator. This privately owned, publicly shared collection of over 1,100 works was founded as a means of making fine art and art education more accessible to Flint and surrounding communities.

“I was certain that I wanted to continue a career in the arts — one in which I could serve as an advocate for the visual arts and in a role that might allow me to stimulate the general public’s appreciation and interest in the visual arts,” James said.

In 2013, James became the collection’s curator and was elevated to director three years later. Under her leadership, the MW Collection completed an extensive renovation project in downtown Flint, creating a space to present comprehensive exhibitions and educational programming serving surrounding communities: the MW Gallery.

James is proud of each exhibit and embraces the immense effort it takes to turn over the gallery’s exhibitions. In 10 short days, James and her crew deconstruct the previous exhibition, patch and paint walls, exchange 50 to 60 old works for new from off-site storage, lay out the show, write didactic labels, install lighting and protective devices, and much more. The process is intense but worth the effort, James explained, noting the thrill she experiences whenever a new exhibit opens to the public. But the most rewarding part of her work is when visitors share their own joy of discovery, empowered by knowledge and experiences gained through the MWC.

“I remember a particular visitor who was so excited and animated as they told me about their experience. It was clear they felt proud and empowered by their knowledge,” James said. “That lets me know visitors are paying attention and benefiting from their exposure to this collection of art by seminal 20th and 21st century artists. It shows we’ve made an impact.”

James’ contemporaries acknowledge the significance of her work and the impact of the career she has curated.

“There is no doubt that Stephanie James is one of today's most important and interesting curators,” said Grace Serra, curator of Wayne State’s University Art Collection. “She has brought the most thoughtfully curated exhibitions and programs into our community and has transformed the perception and status of contemporary African American art.”