Blogs

Two Centuries of Black Art

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

Black History Month: Hughie Lee-Smith

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

Black History Month: David Butler

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

African American History Month 2017: Margaret Burroughs

Friday, February 24, 2017 | Karl Cole

The final post in my series celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the Two Centuries of Black Art exhibit features Margaret Burroughs. Known more as an educator, equality advocate, and prolific write ...

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Curator's Corner

African American History Month 2017: Henry O. Tanner

Thursday, February 23, 2017 | Karl Cole

Today’s post in my series about the artists and artworks in the exhibit Two Centuries of Black Art features Henry O. Tanner. I really like Tanner’s paintings of his late period after he ha ...

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Curator's Corner

African American History Month 2017: Aaron Douglas

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 | Karl Cole

Let’s continue our look at the exhibit Two Centuries of Black Art with the work of Aaron Douglas. My first “wow!” moment for the work of Aaron Douglas came when I saw a series of rel ...

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Curator's Corner

African American History Month 2017: Joshua Johnson

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 | Karl Cole

Today’s artist from the exhibit Two Centuries of Black Art is Joshua Johnson. You probably get sick of hearing me say “I’m a big fan of…” but I don’t say what I do ...

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Curator's Corner

African American History Month 2017: Clementine Hunter

Monday, February 20, 2017 | Karl Cole

Today’s post in my series on artists from the exhibit Two Centuries of Black Art features Clementine Hunter. American art is blessed with many a self-taught artist who have contributed immeasura ...

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Curator's Corner

African American History Month 2017: Edward Mitchell Bannister

Friday, February 17, 2017 | Karl Cole

My series about the exhibit Two Centuries of Black Art (1976–1977) continues. Edward Bannister’s paintings always put me in the same mood as the paintings of the Barbizon “school&rdq ...

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Curator's Corner

African American History Month 2017: Jacob Lawrence

Thursday, February 16, 2017 | Karl Cole

Today’s artist to mark the fortieth anniversary of the exhibit Two Centuries of Black Art is Jacob Lawrence. His style is truly one of the most unique, personal styles to come out of the Harlem ...

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Curator's Corner

African American History Month 2017: Alma Woodsey Thomas

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 | Karl Cole

Today my series about the exhibit Two Centuries of Black Art (1976–1977) continues with the work of Alma Woodsey Thomas (1891–1978). She has always been one of my painting heroes. Not only ...

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Curator's Corner

African American History Month 2017: Enslaved Artists

Tuesday, February 14, 2017 | Karl Cole

The landmark first retrospective exhibition of African American artists from slavery to contemporary took place forty years ago. Between September of 1976 and August of 1977, the exhibition Two Centur ...

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