Aaronetta Hamilton Pierce facts for kids

Aaronetta Hamilton Pierce (born around 1943) is an amazing African-American leader. She works hard to support the arts and her community. She has been part of many important groups that help people.

Aaronetta cares deeply about fighting poverty, making education better, and sharing visual and performing arts with everyone. In 1985, she was chosen to join the Texas Commission on the Arts. With her husband, she started Premier Artworks. This company helps show off the amazing art created by African-American artists.

In 1993, Aaronetta was honored by being added to the Texas Women's Hall of Fame. Later, in 2007, she received the USCA Humanitarian Award from the Congress for her great work.

Early Life and Inspiration

Aaronetta Hamilton Pierce was born in the 1940s. Her mother is Clementine Hamilton from Nashville, Tennessee. Aaronetta also has a sister named Sylvia Hamilton Thomas.

A Museum Moment

Aaronetta used to be a guide at the San Antonio Museum of Art. Around 1980, she was giving a tour when a young African-American girl said something important. The girl noticed there were no black people in the artworks shown in the museum.

This moment deeply inspired Aaronetta. She and her husband realized they needed to do more. They wanted to help the incredible art and stories of African Americans get the recognition they deserved in American history.

Championing the Arts and Community

Aaronetta Hamilton Pierce became a powerful voice for change. She worked hard to make sure African-American artists and their works were seen and celebrated.

Leading the Way in Texas

In 1985, Governor Mark White appointed Aaronetta to the Texas Commission on the Arts. She was the first African-American woman to serve on this commission in 20 years!

She also joined the San Antonio Museum Association board. In 1987, she helped bring a special art show called Hidden Heritage: Afro-American Art, 1800-1950 to San Antonio. This was a very important show, featuring artists like Grafton Tyler Brown, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, and Henry Ossawa Tanner. It was the first big show of its kind in the city.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

That same year, the mayor asked Aaronetta to be the first chair for San Antonio's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. Her efforts led to the creation of the Department for Culture and Creative Development in San Antonio. This department helps support arts and culture in the city.

Helping Many Organizations

Aaronetta has helped many different groups. She co-founded the Southwest Ethnic Arts Society. She has also served on the boards of:

• The San Antonio Performing Arts Association
• The Witte Museum
• Las Casas Foundation
• United Way of San Antonio
• Fisk University

She worked with the Rockefeller Foundation's Partnership for Hope to fight poverty. She also supported the Education Fund of the Education Partnership. Her work includes being on the boards of the Texas Cultural Trust, San Antonio Spurs Foundation, San Antonio Library Foundation, and the University of Texas at San Antonio Development Board.

Promoting African-American Art

Aaronetta is the director of Arts Linkage. This group promotes literary, performing, and visual arts. She says their goal is to help people appreciate African-American artists and their amazing creativity.

She also served on the executive committee of Links Incorporated, an international women's service group. With her husband, Joe Pierce, she founded Premier Artworks, Inc. As president, she helped promote African-American art in private collections and public exhibits.

For her work with Premier Artworks and her efforts to promote different cultures through art and education, she received the USCA Humanitarian Award from the Congress in 2007.

Family Life

Aaronetta Hamilton Pierce is married to Joe Pierce. He is a retired doctor who specialized in anesthesia. They have two sons, Michael and Joey.

Images for kids

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  Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Arch, ca. 1915, Brooklyn Museum