By Patrick Diamond

“The Incredible Joy of Collecting African American Art: My Journey from Frogtown, S.C. to the National Gallery,” chronicles Diamond’s unique journey from growing up in poverty in South Carolina to avidly collecting African American art from across the world.  Diamond describes his childhood, where Jim Crow restrictions and segregated neighborhoods limited opportunities and reinforced social, political, and cultural inequities.  He also shares personal stories of how his love of art began with his Grandma, and how he and his wife Judy joined forces to support and celebrate African American artists. –https://eldergalleryclt.com

“Before Patrick Diamond’s grandmother passed away in 2003, he promised her he’d write a book about how she inspired his interest in art. “I have shot past that deadline by a long time,” says Diamond, who with his wife, Judy, has spent the last 46 years amassing a collection of African American art that includes works by Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett and Jacob Lawrence.”Before Patrick Diamond’s grandmother passed away in 2003, he promised her he’d write a book about how she inspired his interest in art. “I have shot past that deadline by a long time,” says Diamond, who with his wife, Judy, has spent the last 46 years amassing a collection of African American art that includes works by Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett and Jacob Lawrence. This spring, Diamond released his self-published memoir, The Incredible Joy of Collecting African American Art: My Journey from Frogtown, S.C., to the National Gallery, describing his experience.”
(Carol Martin- South Park Magazine 2020-03-02)