TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Arthur “Art” L. Bacon, Ph.D. 1937-2023 Artist, Activist, and Scholar By Dr. Samuel Odom and Cleophus Thomas, Jr., Esq., General Counsel D r. Arthur “Art” L. Bacon (Gamma Gamma 1958) was
“IN SPRING 2013, THE ARTIST SHOWCASE OF THE PALM BEACHES, INC., HOSTED AN EXHIBIT OF HIS WORK AND HELD A THREE DAY CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF BACON’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO ART AND SCIENCE. THE MAYOR OF WEST PALM BEACH PROCLAIMED MARCH 2013 ARTHUR L. BACON MONTH. ”
born September 23, 1937, and he entered the Chap- ter Invisible on October 31, 2023. Brother Bacon received the “Realizing the Dream Mountaintop Award” at the Seventh Annual Legacy Banquet on Friday, January 16, 2015, in the Hotel Capstone located on the campus of The University of Alabama. The award recognizes an indi- vidual who, in keeping with Dr. King’s ideals of pro- moting social justice, peace and equality, is providing the type of vision, courage and leadership that seeks to improve the quality of life for all. Others receiv- ing awards at the banquet include Chief Ken Swindle, Realizing the Dream Call to Conscience Award, and Tyler Merriweather, Real- izing the Dream Horizon Award. Brother Bacon also appears in the Fifth Edi- tion of The Story of Kappa
Alpha Psi (2003).
graduating from high school, Bacon enrolled at Talladega College and majored in biology. Although a science major, Bacon enhanced his artis- tic skills by enrolling in art courses as electives. For- tunately for Bacon, those electives were taught by David Driskell, a renowned artist, art historian, and curator. One year, Bacon earned the college’s Arm- strong Award for Creative Ability. During his senior year Bacon was severely
beaten for sitting in the “wrong” waiting room at a train station in Anniston, Alabama. This event only increased his determina- tion to succeed in both art and science. Bacon attended Talladega College, earning an A.B. (Artium Baccalaureus) in biology. He also enrolled in a couple of art courses taught by David C. Driskell. At the culmination of his junior year, he won the Col- lege’s Armstrong Award for Creativity Ability. During
Few people can rival the myriad achievements accomplished by Dr. Arthur ‘Art’ Bacon. He was truly an unsung artist, activist, scientist, histo- rian, and scholar. Bacon was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. However, he lived in several places in and out of the State of Florida. His talent for art was recognized early and he won several prizes and awards before grad- uating high school. After
98 THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2023
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