By Catherine Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/22/07

The proposed Atlanta Center for Civil and Human Rights, which got off the ground with the acquisition of papers belonging to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has another major gift waiting in the wings. Atlanta philanthropist Anne Cox Chambers has agreed to purchase for the planned museum a series of paintings and drawings on the life of U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) by the late Benny Andrews, subject to the approval of Andrews' estate.

"We are very excited about the prospect of this hanging in the center," said Doug Shipman, executive director of the CCHR Partnership. "Art is a very important way of telling the civil rights story, and John Lewis is obviously such an important figure."

Chambers' gift —- confirmed by gallery owner Mark Karelson, who made the sale —- won't be official until the museum becomes a permanent organization. A purchase price was not disclosed. But similar works by Andrews, who died last November, can fetch $50,000 each.

"The John Lewis Series," 20 paintings and 20 drawings, grew out of a commission to illustrate "John Lewis in the Lead: A Story of the Civil Rights Movement," a children's book by the late Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson. Andrews, the son of a Georgia sharecropper and civil rights activist, felt such admiration for Lewis and affinity for his story that he continued to work on the series after his commission was completed. Lewis, who had long admired the artist, returned the compliment as he wandered through a display recently at Mason Murer Gallery.

"He captured the essence of my life," he said.

Each piece provoked a memory. The sign on a public library in one of the pictures announces "Whites Only." Andrews' painting makes plain the young Lewis' disappointment, which he clearly remembers. But he also noted he went back to the same library in 1998 for a book signing.

"There was black and white together in attendance," he recalled. "They gave me a library card."

Lewis said he relished the idea of the series going to the museum (except for one painting, "Preaching to the Chickens," which belongs to him). Andrews had discussed the possibility with Mark Karelson, Mason Murer's owner, before he died.

Karelson took it up as a cause without much luck until Chambers, chairman of Atlanta Newspapers, which owns The Atlanta Journal Constitution, contacted him about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and told him she'd like to see the works.

After she spent several hours in the gallery last Friday, Karelson took her a proposal. By Sunday, an agreement was reached.

Karelson plans to share the collection with museums and other institutions until the civil rights museum, which is in its earliest planning stages, is built and ready to accept a donation.

The works, which are the centerpiece of a Darfur benefit at the gallery tonight, will remain on view at Mason Murer through March 31.

The Tubman African-American Museum in Macon will exhibit the series in August.