The tour kicked off in January 1999 in Charlotte and has traveled to Memphis, Jacksonville, Atlanta and St. Louis. Following its three-year national tour, the collection, a promised gift to the Afro-American Cultural Center, will return to Charlotte.

Bank of America purchased the collection in 1998 from Vivian Hewitt and the late John Hewitt of New York. It is regarded as one of the most important and comprehensive collections of African-American art during this century. Bank of America Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the bank, is underwriting the nationwide tour.

"The Hewitt Collection above all is a testament to the building of communities," said Hugh McColl, Jr., Bank of America chief executive officer. "This collection stands as a testament to the passion of Vivian and John Hewitt, their close interaction with many of the artists and their knowledge of the history of African-American art."

For more than 50 years, collecting art by the country's best African-American artists was John and Vivian Hewitt's passion. As a teacher and librarian, the Hewitts didn't have an unlimited budget, but they had an eye for fine art and for emerging artists who would grow to national prominence. "So many people, through the generosity of Bank of America, will now have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the outstanding contributions of some of the greatest African-American artists, many of whom have become our friends," said Vivian Hewitt.

The Nationwide tour includes the following cities and runs through April, 2002.

For a preview of a few of the works, click on the title below...

• Woman in a Blue Coat

• The Card Players

• Easter

• Canal Diggers II

To learn more about the Bank of America Foundation, please visit our Website at http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.