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The Future

DELANEY
MUSEUM AT BECK

Last Remaining Ancestral Home of Beauford Delaney

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We Need Your Help

Please join us in supporting the restoration of the only remaining ancestral home of one of the greatest modern painters of the twentieth century, Beauford Delaney. The restoration of this historic home will preserve an extraordinary piece of Knoxville history as the future Delaney Museum at Beck. 
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An International Museum

The eyes of the art world will be on Knoxville as art lovers from around the world make the pilgrimage to the Delaney Museum at Beck to experience this unparalleled showpiece in the heart of the Beck Cultural Corridor. This is a defining moment and unrivaled opportunity for Beck and for our greater Knoxville community.        
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The Delaney Family Story
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815 Vine Avenue

The Original Delaney Home - Pre Urban Renewal
Reverend John Samuel and Delia Elizabeth Johnson Delaney reared their children at 815 East Vine Avenue. Through the massive destruction left by Urban Renewal this home, that the Delaneys grew up in, no longer exits. Notwithstanding, this is not where the story ends. Samuel Emery, the elder brother of Beauford and Joseph Delaney, purchased a house, at 1935 Dandridge Avenue, that would become the last Delaney family home in Knoxville. We are preserving this history into the future Delaney Museum at Beck.

The Delaney Family

Delia Johnson was born into slavery in Richmond, VA, on February 1, 1865. Samuel Delaney, known as Brother Delaney, was a circuit riding preacher for the Methodist Episcopal churches in Knoxville and Jefferson City. Samuel will marry Delia April 9, 1885 and settle in Knoxville. They will have ten children: Carabelle, Sterling, Samuel Emery, Percy, Clifford Henry, Ougust Mae, Marion, Beauford, Joseph, and Naomi. Only four children will survive adulthood, Sterling, Samuel Emery, Beauford and Joseph. Reverend John Samuel and Delia Elizabeth Johnson Delaney will rear their children at 815 East Vine Avenue.


Delaney Family, c. 1908 Standing: Samuel Emery, Jr., Rev.Samuel Delaney, Mrs. Delia (Johnson) Delaney, Seated: Joseph,Ogust, Beauford and Naomi


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Beauford Delaney

1901-1979
Knoxville-born artist Beauford Delaney is considered to be among the greatest abstract painters of the 20th century. The artist’s lifelong friend James Baldwin described Delaney’s compositions as a “metamorphosis into freedom” fueled by a painted light that “held the power to illuminate, even to redeem and reconcile and heal.”
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Joseph Delaney

1904-1991
The younger brother of Beauford, Joseph Delaney was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and was raised in a household governed by his father, a Methodist minister. In 1930, he decided to become a professional artist like his older brother and moved to New York City, where he studied at the Art Students League with Thomas Hart Benton and anatomist George Bridgeman.
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Joseph Delaney, 

Beck Grand Opening Artist, 1975

Samuel E. Delaney, 

Beck Founding Member, 1974

October 13, 1974, an organizational meeting for the establishment of a cultural center in the Morningside area was held. Approximately 100 persons were in attendance. Lucius Ross made the motion that the group proceed to select a Sponsoring Committee to explore the development of a nonprofit corporation to establish the cultural center. Samuel Delaney, elder brother of Beauford and Joseph, seconded the motion. Fifteen persons were unanimously selected to serve on the Sponsoring Committee. Among the fifteen were Samuel Delaney. December 12, 1974 the Sponsoring Committee voted unanimously to establish the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc.



May 15, 1975, the people purchased the property at 1927 Dandridge Avenue, home of the newly created Beck Cultural Exchange Center. A few months later, Beck opened to a grand celebration, with over 500 visitors and dignitaries in attendance. The featured guest for the occasion, Joseph Delaney, renowned artist and younger brother of Samuel and Beauford Delaney. This photograph was taken during the grand opening. Photo Includes: Dr. Arthur Ford, President of the Guild, Rev. Robert C. Wallace, Executive Director, Joseph Delaney, and Rev. DeWitt Dykes, Architect .

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The Future
DELANEY MUSEUM AT BECK

LAST REMAINING ANCESTRAL HOME

This home has not been torn down, it has not been destroyed, it has not been erased. History has been preserved; history has been protected.  

Beck purchased this adjoining property, at 1935 Dandridge Avenue, that was left in a fragile distressed condition, and in need of immediate stabilization. The property was an eyesore and a haven for illegal activity and crime. The state of this historic home prior to Beck acquiring was dismal.  

This blighted property is the only remaining ancestral home of world-renown artists Beauford and Joseph Delaney. While the property is in critical need of extensive restoration, unlike the massive destruction left by Urban Renewal, this home has not been torn down, it has not been destroyed, it has not been erased. History has been preserved; history has been protected.  

While the Delaney childhood home at 815 Vine Avenue no longer exits due to Urban Renewal, the elder brother, Samuel Emery a Beck founding member, purchased this house that would become the last Delaney family home in Knoxville. The restoration of this historic home will preserve an extraordinary piece of Knoxville history as the future Delaney Museum at Beck.
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Your Support of This Important Work is Invaluable

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Thank you for your support of the Delaney Museum at Beck. We appreciate your generosity. You can be assured that we will be good stewards of your investment.



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