Also featuring Highlights from the year 2022
The Deo Gratias Studio was established in November 1922, by James Koblah Bruce-Vanderpuije (also known as Nii Kofi Bruce II) and succeeded by his son Isaac Hudson Bruce-Vanderpuije. Their work with the studio has captured landmark events and moments in Ghana's history and we are honoured to be able to preserve the legacy of their photography and in turn a snapshot of the life of our forefathers in different stages of Ghana's evolution.
As we celebrate 100 years of the studio over the course of the year, we reflect on our past and all the work that we have already done and look expectantly ahead to everything we will do. We have a few exciting things we are planning and we hope to share more information soon.
2022 HIGHLIGHTS
What an incredible year 2022 has been with new opportunities to share the stories of Deo Gratias Studio, make new friends in the arts and culture space in Ghana, and educate local schools, communities, and foreign visitors on the studio and Jamestown's history.
Here are some snapshots of our favourite moments this past year;
INTERVIEW WITH BBC IN LONDON, UK
A Brief Interview with Hassan Arouni of the BBC
INVITATION
OPENING/ LAUNCH OF THE DIKAN GALLERY AND PHOTOGRAPHY LIBRARY
Founder of the Dikan Center Paul Ninson and "Humans of New York" author, Brandon Stanton.
STUDIO VISIT
Dr. Tristram Hunt, (third from left) Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in the UK, the world's leading museum of art, design, and performance visited us with the British High Commissioner for Ghana, Ms. Harriet Thompson. We were also joined by Mrs. Valentina Mintah, (extreme right) a founding member of Efie Gallery, a contemporary gallery in Dubai.
VISITING EX-WARRANT OFFICER CLASS ONE (WO1) JOSEPH ASHITEY HAMMOND (MIDDLE) WITH MR DANIEL TETTEH, OUR GREAT HISTORIAN AND GENEALOGIST
WO1 Joseph Ashitey Hammond is 97 years old. He is the oldest and only living veteran soldier who was present at the crossroad shooting on 28th February 1948, which killed three ex-servicemen, Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe, and Private Odartey Lamptey.
'SIMPLY ICONIC' PHOTO EXHIBITION
A selection of photos from the Deo Gratias Studio collection was part of the "Simply Iconic" exhibition which featured "vintage images off the beaten path" The exhibition was held at the Savanna Centre for Contemporary Art, (SCCA) in Tamale, Ghana.
ANNUAL VISIT TO THE DEO GRATIAS STUDIO
Mr. Michael Morand,(right) public communications and relations officer at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library of Yale University comes to visit the Deo Gratias Studio every summer.
He is also a founding member of the yet-to-be-transformed Du Bois Centre into a legacy Museum for Ghana, Africa, and the world.
CELEBRATING ISAAC HUDSON BRUCE VANDERPUIJE'S 88TH BIRTHDAY
On the 21st October 2022, family and friends came by the Deo Gratias Studio to wish Mr. Isaac Hudson, Bruce-Vanderpuije, son of J.K. Bruce-Vanderpuije, well.
CHALE WOTE FESTIVAL 2022
An evening of socialisation, with music and drinks during the Chale Wote Festival, an alternative platform that brings art, music, dance and performance out into the streets of Jamestown.
INTERVIEW WITH REUTERS INTERNATIONAL, USA
Mr. Isaac Hudson, Bruce-Vanderpuije, son of J.K. Bruce-Vanderpuije, was being filmed and interviewed by Cooper and Francis from Reuters International.
DR. W.E.B. DU BOIS'S ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The 59th anniversary of the passing of Dr. W.E.B Du Bois in Accra.
Dr. W.E.B Du Bois was an American-Ghanaian sociologist, socialist, historian, and Pan-Africanist civil rights activist. This photo was taken with his great-grandson,
Mr. Jeffery Peck.
JAMESTOWN TOUR WITH BLUECREST UNIVERSITY
About 100 students of Bluecrest University in Accra were given a tour of Jamestown by Mr. Daniel Tetteh our historian. The tour included the Slave Dungeon, the Chief's Palace, the Forts, and Deo Gratias Studio.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
In the 1930s before Ghana gained its independence, Ghanaians were still heavily influenced by British fashion. This newlywed couple, their maid of honour and best man showcase this with their dapper top hats which were meant to make the men feel taller, handsome, and suave, and the demure long-sleeved wedding dress with satin gloves for the women's modesty.