The Walter P. and Florence Lewisohn Caribbean Art Collection

The Lewisohn Collection

The Walter P. and Florence Lewisohn Caribbean Art Collection celebrates the vibrant cultural heritage and artistic traditions of the West Indies. After spending more than two decades researching and living part-time in the Caribbean, particularly in St. Croix, the Lewisohns documented the region’s diverse communities through film, photographs, and the careful gathering of folk art. Their work, supported by the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, captured the blended African, European, and Indigenous influences that shape Caribbean identity.

In 1981, the Lewisohns donated their extensive collection to the University of Mississippi Museum, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for future generations. Their gift includes artwork, handcrafted objects, and materials from roughly twenty-five islands, reflecting the region’s creativity, craftsmanship, and deep connection to the land. Additional books, records, and research materials related to the Lewisohns’ efforts are also preserved in the university’s libraries.

Today, the Lewisohn Collection remains a vital resource for teaching, research, and exhibition. Its pieces offer a window into the everyday lives, traditions, and artistic expressions of Caribbean communities, highlighting both the whimsy and functionality found in folk art. Through this collection, the museum continues the Lewisohns’ mission to honor and share the cultural richness of the Caribbean.