Curator's Corner

African American art

< Back to Curator's Corner
Curator's Corner

Emancipated Artist: Moses Williams

Monday, June 17, 2024 | Karl Cole

In honor of Juneteenth this week, I present an earlier experience of emancipation—that of artist Moses Williams. When he was 9 years old, Williams’s parents were emancipated. At the time, ...

Read More
Curator's Corner

March into March: Allan Rohan Crite

Monday, March 4, 2024 | Karl Cole

As we march into March—and spring—let’s bid a temporary goodbye to Black History Month with a painting by Boston’s own Allan Rohan Crite. I was greatly privileged to meet ...

Read More
Curator's Corner

Black History Month: Gee's Bend Quilter

Monday, February 26, 2024 | Karl Cole

African American artists have had a tremendous influence on the miscellaneous arts in America since before the Civil War (1861–1865). The women of the Gee’s Bend community in Alabama have ...

Read More
Curator's Corner

Black History Month: Beauford Delaney

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 | Karl Cole

My Black History Month series continues this week with the artwork of Beauford Delaney. Delaney was one of the few African American artists of his Harlem Renaissance generation who primarily pursued a ...

Read More
Curator's Corner

Black History Month: Mequitta Ahuja

Monday, February 12, 2024 | Karl Cole

My celebration of African American artists who have brought beauty into the world continues. This week I present the compelling self-portraits of African American and South Asian American artist Mequi ...

Read More
Curator's Corner

Black History Month: Hale Woodruff

Monday, February 5, 2024 | Karl Cole

Let’s celebrate Black artists who have brought beauty into the world through their art. This week, I’m sharing the stunning watercolors of Hale Woodruff. Since I find watercolor to be a ve ...

Read More
Curator's Corner

Celebrating Juneteenth: Norman Lewis

Monday, June 19, 2023 | Karl Cole

In celebration of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, let’s honor Harlem Renaissance (ca. 1920s–1930s) (and beyond) artist Norman Lewis, one of the earliest African American artists to embrace abs ...

Read More
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 ...

Read More
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 ...

Read More
Curator's Corner

Celebrating Martin Luther King Day: Nellie Mae Rowe

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | Karl Cole

In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy, I’m sharing the art of a truly individual, inspiring African American artist: Nellie Mae Rowe. Her independent and unique spirit is part ...

Read More

Always Stay in the Loop

Want to know what’s new from Davis? Subscribe to our mailing list for periodic updates on new products, contests, free stuff, and great content.

Back to top