James E. Mayo (1936-1995) was an American exhibition specialist. He held this role at the Anacostia Community Museum, where he also was co-director.

Personal life and education

James Mayo was born and raised in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

After he graduated from Cardozo High School, he joined the workforce, starting his career, in 1959, at the

National Museum of American History The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of the United States in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific, and military history. Among the items on display is t ...

. He would marry, which would end in divorce.

Career

Upon joining the National Museum of American History, Mayo took on the role of exhibitions production supervisor. He would go on to also design exhibitions for Dumbarton Oaks and the

City University of New York The City University of New York ( CUNY; , ) is the Public university, public university system of Education in New York City, New York City. It is the largest urban university system in the United States, comprising 25 campuses: eleven Upper divis ...

. He also ran the renovation of the Benjamin Brown French School and was chairman of the board at the Market 5 Gallery, both in Washington, D.C.. He co-founded the Erika Thimey Dance and Theater Company. While at the Anacostia Community Museum, he worked on exhibitions such as ''Blacks in the Westward Movement'' and ''Black Women: Achievement Against the Odds,'' alongside

Louise Daniel Hutchinson Louise Daniel Hutchinson (June 3, 1928 – October 12, 2014) was an American historian. She was the former Director of the Research at the Anacostia Community Museum. Growing up in Washington, D.C., Hutchinson was exposed to the Civil Rights Movem ...

. He retired in September, 1994, as director emeritus. His exhibition style was described as "elegant" in ''The Art Museum as Educator''.

Later life and legacy

James E. Mayo died on July 13, 1995, at George Washington University Hospital of

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissue (biology), tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from tran ...

. A scholarship named in his honor is awarded by the Erika Thimey Dance and Theater Company.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mayo, James E. Exhibition designers People from Washington, D.C. Smithsonian Institution people 1936 births 1995 deaths Deaths from lung cancer in Washington, D.C.