Our Story
The Sisters Godfrey Collection honors the artistic legacy of
Mary E. Godfrey and Ruth Godfrey Gibson, whose artwork draws inspiration from life in the rural American South during the 1920s and celebrates African American culture. Their legacy is marked by resilience, love, and a profound connection to this heritage.
Mary Godfrey’s pioneering role as an art educator and the first full-time African American faculty member at Penn State University stemmed from her extensive career as Assistant Superintendent for Art Education in Virginia. Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld, recognizing her potential, invited her to join the faculty, seeing in her the promise of a future leader in the field. While he mentored renowned artists such as John Biggers, Samella Lewis, Elizabeth Catlett, and Charles White as his students, his relationship with Godfrey was one of professional respect and encouragement. Meanwhile, Ruth Godfrey Gibson emerged as a dedicated self-taught needleworker, cultivating her passion and creativity.
Our mission is to elevate the visibility of the Sisters Godfrey Collection through engaging exhibitions and partnerships, and offering exclusive memorabilia that celebrates their significant contributions to the African American art landscape.
We aim to inspire individuals from all walks of life to engage with and explore the collection, cultivating an appreciation that ensures the sisters' impactful legacy today and continues to inspire and captivate audiences long after our tenure as curators ends.
P. Skinner
Founder, Sisters Godfrey Collection
Biographies
Mary E. Godfrey (1913-2007)
was hired by Dr. Viktor Lowenfeld in 1957 as the first full-time African American faculty member at Penn State University, where she taught elementary and secondary art education, supervision, the history of art education, and introduction to crafts. Prior to that, she was the first African American Assistant State Supervisor of Art Education in Virginia.
Born in Charlotte Court House, VA and raised in New York City, Mary earned a BFA from Pratt Institute and M.A. from Teachers' College Columbia University.
Ruth Godfrey Gibson (1915-2003)
was born and raised in New York City. She attended Newtown High School and Central Needle Trades School, where she learned to sew to make clothing for her three young daughters.
After a long career at Macy's, Ruth rekindled her interest in sewing and developed new skills in quilting and embroidery. As a member of the Ebony Quilters of Southeast Queens, she taught courses in her local community.
Ruth is a featured artist in "A Communion of the Spirits: African American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories" by Roland L. Freeman.
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The Mary E. Godfrey Educational Equity Scholarship was established by Penn State University's College of Arts and Architecture administration to honor Godfrey, an art education professor from 1956 to 1979 and Penn State’s first African American faculty member. To make a donation, visit http://raise.psu.edu/GodfreySchlrshp.
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Interested in learning more about our collection or have a question for us? Feel free to reach out anytime via email or the contact form. We would love to hear from you!