Abstract

This article addresses how research can uncover and amplify long-marginalized histories to transform the field of art education through examination of the life and work of Dean Murry DePillars. Dr. DePillars is the longest serving dean of the School of the Arts (VCUarts) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1976–1995) and the first African American to serve as dean of VCUarts. Little research exists on art educators as artists, specifically Black art educators as artists, administrators, and leaders of universities/art programs. DePillars was not only an administrative leader, educator, and scholar, but a renowned artist and arts activist. In presenting this research, we hope to broaden and deepen the knowledge of DePillars as artist, art educator, scholar, and administrative leader and create a model for similar critical portraiture research on other marginalized artist/art educators.