Historic Hampton House Portraits
On October 24th, 2018, at a ceremony at the Bass Art Museum, Raymond Elman received an Ellie Award from the ArtCenter / South Florida (now Oolite Arts) to produce the project presented below.
Create six 40 x 60 inch mixed media portraits of people (now in their 70s & 80s) who patronized the Hampton House, located in Brownsville, FL (Miami), during the 1950s and ’60s, when prominent African-American political leaders, entertainers, and athletes stayed at the Hampton House because they were not allowed to stay in Miami Beach due to Segregation. In addition, record video interviews with each of the people portrayed (who will be holding photos of themselves from back in the day, if available).
The portraits and videos have been donated to the Historic Hampton House, where they will be exhibited. You can learn more about Elman’s portraits, four of which are in the collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and have been exhibited there, at http://www.rayelman.com/.
Prominent African-Americans who stayed or performed at the Hampton House include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Robinson, Joe Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and many more. You can learn more about the Hampton House on the ArtSpeak arts publication platform.
The videos below run between 60 seconds and 11 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.
DR. ENID CURTIS PINKNEY: Founding CEO & President of the Historic Hampton House
“Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney at the Hampton House.” 2022. 40 x 60 inches. Mixed-media on canvas. Raymond Elman.
INTRODUCTION: 10:27
Introduction to Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney, CEO & President of the Historic Hampton House.
DR. ENID CURTIS PINKNEY: 2:05 min.
Was the Hampton House the hot place to be from the moment it opened? Or did it take time to evolve?
WINSTON SCOTT: Astronaut, Musician
“Astronaut Winston Scott,” 2021. 40 x 60 inches. Oil & digital collage on canvas. Raymond Elman.
WINSTON SCOTT: 1:06 min.
Introduction to Winston Scott.
WINSTON SCOTT: 0:27 sec.
As a teenage musician, were you aware of the Hampton House in Brownsville?
WINSTON SCOTT: 1:21 min.
Given that many of the most important people in African-American history stayed or played at the Hampton House, did you encounter any major celebrities when you were there?
MARY HYLOR: Vocalist
“Mary Hylor at the Historic Hampton House.” 2019. 40 x 60 inches. Oil & digital collage on canvas. Raymond Elman.
MARY HYLOR: 1:28 min.
Introduction to Mary Hylor, “The Singing Teacher.”
MARY HYLOR: 2:24 min.
What was your first experience of the Hampton House?
MARY HYLOR: 0:56 sec.
Tell us about that photograph — what, where, and when?
THE REV. DR. WALTER T. RICHARDSON: Minister, Musician
“The Rev. Dr. Walter T. Richardson at the Historic Hampton House.” 2019. 40 x 60 inches. Oil & digital collage on canvas. Raymond Elman.
THE REV. DR. WALTER T. RICHARDSON: 4:39 min.
Introduction to The Rev. Dr. Walter T. Richardson
THE REV. DR. WALTER T. RICHARDSON: 1:16 min.
Did you encounter Muhammad Ali when he was staying at the Hampton House?
THE REV. DR. WALTER T. RICHARDSON: 1:39 min.
What was your reaction when Muhammad Ali converted to Islam?
THE REV. DR. WALTER T. RICHARDSON: 4:57 min.
How did you come to play music at the Hampton House?
KHALILAH ALI: Wife of Muhammad Ali
“Khalilah Ali.” 2019. 40 x 60 inches. Oil & digital collage on canvas. Raymond Elman.
KHALILAH ALI: 4:04 min.
Describe your experience as the wife of Muhammad Ali visiting and staying at the Hampton House hotel, when Miami Beach was still segregated.
PATRICIA THOMAS: Wife of vocalist Ricky Thomas
“Patricia Smith Thomas at the Historic Hampton House.” 2019. 40 x 60 inches. Oil & digital collage on canvas. Raymond Elman.
PATRICIA SMITH THOMAS: 2:03 min
Introduction to Patricia Smith Thomas. 2:03 min.
