James E. Tatum, Professor Emeritus, Lincoln University of Missouri, earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Alabama State University in 1976; his Master of Science in Painting and Ceramics from Illinois State University in 1977, and the Master of Fine Arts (the terminal degree in studio art) in Ceramics and Painting from the University of Kentucky in 1982. Before joining the Lincoln University faculty in 1982 as an Assistant Professor of Art, Tatum was on the faculties at Tuskegee Institute (University), Illinois State University, and the University of Kentucky. He also taught in the public school system in Anniston, Alabama, his hometown. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at Lincoln University, he served as Dean of the Department of Fine Arts and Sciences (1999-2000). Because of his love for teaching, he returned to the classroom full time in 2000, and was recognized for his teaching efforts as the recipient of the University’s “Excellence in Teaching in Education” Award in 2009.

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Tatum’s ceramic sculptures and paintings have been widely exhibited in museums across the United States and Africa, including exhibits at: The National Conference of Artist Exhibit, Dakar, Senegal; The National Afro-American Museum and Culture Center, Wilberforce, Ohio; American Crafts Museum, New York, NY; Apex Museum, Atlanta GA; Museum of Fine Arts, San Diego, CA; Renwick Gallery, National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institutions, Washington, D.C.; Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL, and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, AL. His work has also been shown at numerous private and university galleries including: Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Stillman College, University of Missouri, Northwest Missouri State University, William Woods University, Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, University of Kentucky, Washington University and Fontbone College.

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In addition to his many awards, Tatum’s works are represented in various museum collections, as well as private and corporate collections, including Chevron Oil, Atlantic Richfield Companies, and the National Afro-American Museum. His work has been featured in many publications including: Drum Magazine, published by the University of Massachusetts Press; Ceramics Monthly--the world’s most widely read ceramics magazine; Art; African/American (an African American art history textbook) by Samella Lewis; and Responding to Art (an art appreciation textbook) by Robert Bersson, James Madison University.

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Tatum has served on the Visual Art Advisory Panel of the Missouri Arts Council; the Missouri Arts Education Task Force; the nomination/selection panel for the Missouri Visual Artist-Biennial; the Indiana Arts Commission’s Fellowship selection panel; and he has also served as juror for many local, state, and national art exhibits. Additionally, he served as member, and later Chairperson on the Arts; Jefferson City Long Range Planning Committee; Jefferson City School Bond Campaign committee; and many other civic and community organizations and activities.

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Professor Tatum has been married to Dr. Patricia Wright-Tatum for over 40 years; they have two sons, Derrick (Tunde) Tatum, and Jamaal Tatum, and four wonderful grandchildren, Amiya, Mariah, Derrick (Deuce), and Elisa.