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African American art

Curator’s Corner

Black History Month 2023: Betye Saar

Monday, February 27, 2023 | Karl Cole

Since the 1970s, Betye Saar has been an important artist in both the Feminist Art Movement and in the ever-surging vitality and legacy of African American art. She is one of the most important assembl ...

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Curator’s Corner

Black History Month 2023: Vincent D. Smith

Monday, February 6, 2023 | Karl Cole

The art of African Americans has long been part of the American experience, beginning as enslaved Africans brought art forms, styles, and techniques to the U.S. Those artistic roots have impacted ...

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Curator’s Corner

LGBTQ+ History Month 2022: Richmond Barthé

Monday, October 17, 2022 | Karl Cole

I think it is important to always keep in mind that LGBTQ pride did not “begin” with the Stonewall Riots of 1969—a series of protests by members of the gay community in response to a ...

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Curator’s Corner

Hispanic Heritage Month 2022: Emilio Cruz

Monday, October 3, 2022 | Karl Cole

The works of Emilio Cruz form a counterpoint to the Abstract Expressionist style that dominated the art world when Cruz first went to New York. His work is important not only because it was figurative ...

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Curator’s Corner

A Visual Tribute to Labor Day Week 2022

Monday, September 5, 2022 | Karl Cole

Aside from the myth of Sunday as a “day of rest” in the West, it’s interesting to me that there is only one day a year that celebrates “labor” in the U.S. The movement to ...

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Curator’s Corner

Art for Juneteenth 2022: Sargent Johnson

Sunday, June 19, 2022 | Karl Cole

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, originating in Galveston, Texas, in 1865. Let’s celebrate the achievements of African Ame ...

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Curator’s Corner

Women's History Month 2022: Toyin Ojih Odutola

Monday, March 14, 2022 | Karl Cole

Nigerian-born artist Toyin Ojih Odutola explores contemporary definitions of gender, culture, and society with a unique graphic/painting technique. ...

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Curator’s Corner

Black History Month 2022: John Biggers

Monday, February 28, 2022 | Karl Cole

While John Biggers is known for his murals, he is equally as renowned for his graphic works. His realist style is tempered by an abstract simplification reminiscent of African art. He drew his subject ...

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Curator’s Corner

Black History Month 2022: Mary A. Jackson

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 | Karl Cole

Mary A. Jackson is instrumental in bringing the African American tradition of sweetgrass basket making (called “Gullah” basketry) to international recognition. Sweetgrass basketry of ...

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Curator’s Corner

Black History Month 2022: Mark Bradford

Monday, February 14, 2022 | Karl Cole

Let’s continue to celebrate art for Black History Month with the work of Mark Bradford. ...

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Curator’s Corner

Black History Month 2022: Akili Ron Anderson

Monday, February 7, 2022 | Karl Cole

Let’s celebrate Black History Month by showing outstanding Black artists over the next few weeks. I’m starting the series with the work of Akili Ron Anderson. ...

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Davis Desk

Happy Juneteenth, 19 June, 2021: Celebrating the newest National Holiday!

Friday, June 18, 2021 | Karl Cole

We know we’re a day early celebrating Juneteenth, but It’s about time! African Americans have been celebrating Juneteenth forever! The movement to make it a federal holiday was spearheaded ...

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Curator’s Corner

African American History Month 2021 III

Monday, February 15, 2021 | Karl Cole

For my ongoing celebration of African American History month, let’s honor the life and work of Hughie Lee-Smith. He was one of many artists who matured during the Harlem Renaissance (1918– ...

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Curator’s Corner

African American History Month 2021 II

Monday, February 8, 2021 | Karl Cole

February 4th was artist Nick Cave’s birthday, so let’s celebrate his art for African American History Month. ...

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Curator’s Corner

African American History Month 2021 I

Monday, February 1, 2021 | Karl Cole

Let’s begin honoring African American History Month this year with the work of vernacular artist David Butler. His art reflects the long tradition of African-Caribbean influence in the art of ma ...

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Curator’s Corner

Art for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 | Karl Cole

In commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I am recognizing an African American artist who was as committed to equality—especially for African American women—as MLK and expressed it ...

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