During Professor Harold Dorsey’s years of teaching at Prairie View, the art program has sponsored many exhibitions of visual art by faculty, students, and others not affiliated with the university. When asked what inspires his work, Dorsey said “the visual and academic agenda informed by the teachings of W.E.B DuBois who worked to dispel ignorance by encouraging intellectualism among Afro American people in human rights struggle. Also, those that struggled in the Civil Rights movement such as Fannie Lou Hammer, Martin Delanie, Frederick Douglass, and other afro-centric heroes of the past. However the collage of Charles Evers was inspired by Evers courage.” Asked to elaborate on courage, Dorsey said “Evers’ continuation of the work of his brother, Medger Evers, who was assassinated in Mississippi, for his role in the Civil Rights movement.”
Dorsey encourages faculty to bring classes to the exhibit, and participate in the Banks and Duboisian philosophy to lead Prairie View toward philosophical excellence. Dorsey said, “It’s essential for black universities to reach philosophical maturity so that they may give leadership and correction to this color line economic system as envisioned by W.E.B DuBois. Only if we understand can we carry out his work.”
Dorsey currently teaches Afro-American art, a survey of the rich visual heritage of art and architecture.