Oral History Interview with Lou and Di Stovall

Artists Lou and Di Stovall are interviewed by Samir Meghelli as part of the research for the Anacostia Community Museum's A Right to the City exhibition. The artists discuss their early time in Washington, D.C., education, printmaking, jazz nightclubs, the 1968 Washington, D.C. riots, and notable individuals with whom they worked and socialized. Lou Stovall grew up in Springfield, Massachussetts and briefly attended Rhode Island School of Design in Providence before leaving due to issues stemming from segregation. Stovall moved back to Springfield to take care of his ailing father before moving to D.C. and attending Howard University. Di Stovall attended Columbus College in Georgia before enrolling at the Corcoran School of the Arts in D.C. They discuss D.C.'s draw for young people and artists, its neighborhoods and how things have changed during their time in the District. The Stovall's discuss their involvement with Howard University and the Corcoran School of Arts, notable faculty and students such as James Wells, Lois Mailou Jones, Elizabeth Catlett, James A. Porter, Bill Gardner, David Driskell, and Lloyd McNeill. They also discuss their time with Topper Carew at The New Thing Art and Architecture Center and the Adams Morgan neighborhood. The couple discuss many specific posters designed by Lou Stovall, which he started making while still living in Springfield, MA and continued to make while working for Botkin's Sign and Display which he used as a studio while attending Howard University. They discuss the process of making and designing process as well as the many various businesses and organizations for whom posters made. Lou and Di Stovall also tell stories regarding several jazz nightclubs including Bohemian Caverns which was operated by Tony Talyor, The Casbah, Mr. Henry's, and Dolly's Swinging Night Club, including many of the artists who would frequent these stages, such as Roberta Flack, as well as the jazz performances at St. Elizabeth's church. The Stovalls comment on the 1968 Washington D.C. riots, what the area was like during curfew and the businesses which stayed open as well as the businesses which closed. Additionally, they discuss their tangential involvement with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and the uniqueness of many of Washington, D.C.'s neighborhoods. Many notable individuals are discussed in the interview, including those mentioned above as well as Burkey Belser, Percy Martin, Andrew White, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Eric Gravatt, Eric Marlowe, Melvin Deal, and Judy Richardson. Audio is clear.