LAUREL TUCKER DUPLESSIS

HAMPTON, VA - Laurel Tucker Duplessis, an artist, teacher, and museum curator, continues to illuminate the lives of so many she has touched, even after her sudden passing on February 8, 2013. Born on July 19, 1939 in the Bronx, NY, she studied with Charles Alston at City University of New York, earned a B.F.A. degree from Massachusetts College of Art, and an M.A. in Museum Studies from Hampton University. Duplessis' art reflects her travels to Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. She has exhibited in many national and international venues, including the New Orleans World's Fair, the Hampton University Museum, the Schomburg Center (Black New York Artists of the 20th Century), Kirby Gallery, Barbados, and Stella Jones Gallery to name a few. In 1992, she was commissioned by her sorority Delta Sigma Theta to create a painting reflecting their Summit III, "Preparing Our Sons for Manhood". Duplessis served on her Sorority's National Commission of Arts and Letters from 2006-2008. In 2006, she authored a booklet titled "Basic Ideas for Collecting African-American Art", and in 2008, she was honored by her beloved sorority as a recipient of the prestigeous Keeper of the Flame Award. While creating, she taught college courses in art, art history, and humanities; served as the Curator of Art at the Hampton University Museum; and retired as Curator of the Art and Artifacts Division of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. While working at the Schombrurg Center, she was invited by MacMillan Publishing Company to write an essay on African-American artist Norman Lewis for the Enclopedia of African American Culture and History. She is survived by husband Errol Duplessis of Hampton, VA; daughter Lauren D. Chachere of Germantown, TN; son Arem Duplessis (Wendi) of Brooklyn, NY; grandchildren Grant, Noah and Jackson Chachere, and Remmi and Luke Duplessis; sisters Lynette Tucker and Dr. Paula Tucker Hogan (Guy) of Hampton, VA and Sherry Tucker Brown (Bernard) of Bourne, MA; and a host of cousins, nephews and a niece. A memorial celegration of Laurel's life is planned by the familyh to honor her on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in the Hampton University Chapel, to be preceded by an Omega Omega Service, Hampton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to Sentara Health Foundation, c/o Transplant Emergency Assistance Medication (TEAM), 6015 Poplar Hall Drive, Suite 308, Norfolk, VA 23502. For those who may, flowers must arrive by Saturday, March 30, 2013 by 2:00 p.m. Laurel's remains will be cremated and laid to rest in a private ceremony.