due to jim crow laws in virginia, jones was not able to attend art school in virginia and instead registered at the art institute of chicago in 1934. to pay tuition jones worked and raised money from members of his local community who were supportive and wanted to see his artistic talent realized. the virginia state senator carter a. glass even wrote on jones's behalf. his community in lynchburg was able to raise about 700 dollars. this was not all together enough to pay for a full term at the art institute of chicago, so jones briefly worked as a busboy in albany, ny. upon his arrival in chicago in 1932, jones also worked a short period for the wpa/fap to raise the rest of the money for his education. jones attended the art institute of chicago from 1934 to 1936 and befriended the accomplished artists and fellow chicago institute students charles white, frank neal, and eldzier cortor. throughout the 1930s chicago had a rapidly growing african-american arts community and lawrence jones was involved in creating the first black community art center in chicago, the south side community art center. while studying in chicago, jones also worked in the art studios at hull house where he met gertrude stein. like james weldon johnson, stein was impressed by jones's artistic talent.