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Return to Directory | Read News Black Art, Artists, Shops, and Museums Listings of resources for African American art. "The Beauty of the Ghetto" This painting by Ernie Barnes was a significant contribution to the world of Black Art in the early 1970's. "Strong Black Love" This powerful illustration, painted by James Loveless, is a favorite to many. His artistic capabilities are very impressive. "Blue Monday" This painting by Annie Lee won international attention. Her unique style portrays African American life. Acacia Collection: A Treasure of African Americana This museum is unlike any museum experience anywhere in the world, because every artifact on display was designed and used by African Americans. www.acaciacollection.com African American Expressions America's leading gift and greeting card company that empowers groups in earning revenue for their community activities while sharing the beauty of our culture. America's Best Fundraiser! www.black-gifts.com African American Museum of Philadelphia The first institution built by a major United States city to house and interpret the life and artistic contributions of African Americans. www.aampmuseum.org Afro-American Cultural Center Located in Charlotte, the Center exists to present, preserve and promote African American art, culture and history for the education and enlightenment of all. www.aacc-charlotte.org Andre Guichard The work of Guichard, a black artist, was published in African Art: The Diaspora and Beyond The Daniel Texidor Parker Collection by Daniel Texidor Parker, 2004. www.artjaz.com/artists/guichard/index.html Annie Lee This popular female artist uses acrylic paint to create interesting images of African Americans in their daily life habits. She began her professional career as an artist at the age of 40, and has become an international sensation. www.annieleearts.com/index.php Anthony D. Lee Lee has been creatively influenced by the city's culinary and musical atmosphere and the years following the Civil Rights Movement. www.artjaz.com/artists/anthonylee/index.html Anyta Thomas Thomas' artwork has been shown at exhibitions such as the African American Art Museum in Philadelphia. www.artjaz.com/artists/athomas/index.html Arna Bontemps African American Museum and Cultural Arts Center Their mission is to further knowledge of the legacy of Bontemps and to promote awareness of African American history and culture through programs in the humanities and arts. www.arnabontempsmuseum.com ArtJaz Gallery This gallery, established in 1999, provides a venue for exhibiting contemporary fine art by new and emerging Artists of African descent. www.artjaz.com Association of African American Museums (AAAM) This association is a non-profit member organization established to support African and African American focused museums - nationally and internationally. It is the premier organization that represents such art museums, and others. www.blackmuseums.org Avisca.com This site features a large selection of limited edition and open edition prints and posters by popular African American, African and Caribbean artists. www.avisca.com Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia The museum's goal is to become a statewide resource on the many facets of Black history through exhibitions, discussions and celebrations. www.blackhistorymuseum.org Black Art Depot Based in Atlanta, this company's goal is to be the number one supplier of african-american art, gifts and collectibles in the Southeast. They donate 5% of all profits to a deserving charity within the community. www.blackartdepot.com Buchi Upjohn Aghaji Aghaji, born in Nigeria, expresses his art through a variety of media including oil, watercolor and acrylic on cold-pressed paper, canvas, burlap, wood and pottery. www.artjaz.com/artists/aghaji/index.html California African American Museum The museum's mission is to research, collect, preserve and interpret for public enrichment, the history, art and culture of African Americans. www.caam.ca.gov Calvin Coleman The messages that Coleman's works relay are global as he strongly believe that his spiritual beliefs are global and has the power to transcend cultural, ethnic and national barriers. www.artjaz.com/artists/coleman/index.html Charles H Wright Museum of African American History The museum provides learning opportunities, exhibitions, programs and events based on outstanding collections and research that explore the diverse history and culture of African Americans. www.maah-detroit.org Charly Palmer Charley Palmer has his artwork displayed at art galleries all over the United States and has received multiple awards and commissions.  www.artjaz.com/artists/palmer/index.html Chattanooga African American Museum The museum is a source of curricula, historical references, creative works and media about the African American experience.  www.caamhistory.com Cynthelia L. Cephas The interest of Cephas, a quilter, was ignited when she became a member of the Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild of New Jersey and her hobby developed into a small business, C. C. Quilts. www.artjaz.com/artists/cephas/index.html Dane Tilghman Tilgman has established himself as one of the premier painters of African American Golf Art and Negro League Baseball images. www.artjaz.com/artists/tilghman/index.html Diana Shannon Young Diana's artwork of vibrant hues has been shown at exhibitions all over the country. He work was even commissioned by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in 2004. www.artjaz.com/artists/shannonYoung/index.html Ernani Silva Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, this Black artist has developed a distinctive style that contains abstract, Brazilian and African elements, laced with rich and vibrant color. www.artjaz.com/artists/silva/index.html Felicia Grant-Preston This Black artist feels her work is a "reflection of deep spirituality, her identity as a black woman and her love of color." Her work is very popular, and highly-respected in the industry. www.artjaz.com/artists/grant-preston/index.html Gale Fulton-Ross The art work of Gale Fulton-Ross can be seen at the American Museum of African American Artists in Boston and the California Museum of African American Art - among other places. www.artjaz.com/artists/ross/index.html George Nock Nock, a former runningback for the New York Jets and the Washington Redskins, has created artwork that has been exhibited all over the United States. www.artjaz.com/artists/nock/index.html Jackson Collins Collins' style is inspired by the trials and triumphs of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and Muhammed Ali, and documents history through a unique cultural perspective. www.artjaz.com/artists/collins/index.html JFest An annual program produced by the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center in Gainesville, Florida. The program runs an annual competition for Black artists from all around the world. The event celebrates African cultural heritage with fine, and folk arts. www.cce.ufl.edu/JFest/index.html Jose Sebourne In 2004. Jose was the recipient of the African American Visual Artist Master Artist Award for the Tri-State Area. www.josesebourne.com Katherine Kisa Born in Kenya, this well-known African artist has earned many awards and has her artwork shown in numerous exhibitions in the United States. www.artjaz.com/artists/kisa/index.html Kimmy Cantrell Cantrell uses ceramic sculpture as her art platform and has her sculptures have been exhibited at New York's prestigious National Black Fine Art Show and International Art Expo. www.artjaz.com/artists/kimmy/index.html Lois Mailou Jones For more than fifty years, Lois Mailou Jones has enjoyed a consistently successful career as a painter, teacher, book illustrator, and textile designer until her death in 1998. www.octobergallery.com/artists/jones.htm Moe Brooker Moe teaches two-dimensional design and painting at Moore College of Art and Design, the nation's first and only women's college devoted to the visual arts. www.artnet.com/artist/3117/moe-brooker.html Museum of African American History New England's largest museum dedicated to preserving, conserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans. Much of the preservation is done through art. www.afroammuseum.org The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center The mission of the Center is to educate the public about African American history and culture from the African origins to the present by collecting, preserving, and interpreting material evidence of the Black experience. More than 100 contemporary art quilts are featured in this touring exhibition. www.ohiohistory.org/textonly/places/afroam/index.html National Museum of African Art This nationally-recognized museum fosters the discovery and appreciation of the visual arts of Africa. It features art from various countries - including Kenya, Somalia, and South Africa. www.africa.si.edu/index2.html Oggi Ogburn Oggi is touted as a celebrity photographer due to his unique ability to capture a backstage perspective through his lens – often of the moments not captured by those documenting the music scene. www.oginet.com/Oggi Paul S. Benjamin Benjamin primarily uses collage and acrylic paints, and he was published in Daniel Texidor Parker's book "African Art: The Diaspora and Beyond." www.artjaz.com/artists/benjamin/index.html Richard Watson Watson's work can be identified by themes, which infuse some element of the African American experience: landscapes, contemporary women, and works which allow Watson to form a dialogue with his ancestors. www.artjaz.com/artists/watson/index.html Tubman Museum The museum's mission is to educate people about African American art, history and culture and to promote harmony among all races. www.tubmanmuseum.com US Black Art Launched in 1997, this company sells African American art and works to develop and promote new and original art work by a rich and diverse group of young artists. www.usblackart.com What Is Black Art? Black art is the products of creativity produced by Carribeans, Africans, and African Americans. This can include paintings, drawings, sculptures, crafting, photography, dance and even graphic design. It can also include animation and film. Black art has grown to be extremely popular in many countries because of its unique and original contributions to the world of art. Such art is kept alive in many daily and weekly newspapers in the United States. Popular cartoonists such as Keef Knight (Kchronicles), Aaron McGruder (Boondocks), and Jerry Craft (Mama's Boyz) have their work featured regularly in publications read nationally and internationally. Their style of drawing and comedy stands out quite a bit from that of other cartoonists. Who Are Some Popular Black Artists? Ernie Barnes was undoubtedly one of the first African American artists to be come popular. He is best known as the father and creator of the Neo-Mannerist style. His art was regularly showcased on Good Times and The Cosby Show. To this day, his art is heavily recognized by art enthusiasts and is displayed in many museums. In addition, many African Americans have his work on display in their homes. James Loveless, a portrait artist, is probably one of the most sought after artists. He has created two and three- dimensional designs for companies such as Pizza Hut and Anheuser-Busch. He also designs wall murals, post cards, flyers, brochures and calandars for you and/or your company. He is best known for his designs that portray Black love. El Anatsui is an internationally-recognized artist from West Africa. His creativity is based on metal sculptures made from wood, tin, aluminum, and bottle caps. His work is inspired by ancient wisdom and customs of African culture, and has earned him prestigious awards and notoriety from the industry. There is no shortage of Black female artists either. Tonya Engel, a contemporary self-taught painter, is known for her "igurative form mixed with the emotion and expressionistic boldness." Her designs depict domestic settings of children in curious game-play within rooms wall-papered with flowers. A deeper look, though, reveals adult-like figures within narrative worlds. Tonya and several other Black female artists were recognized at group exhibition called "Subjective Visions: Contemporary Art by African American Women" at the University of Texas in San Antonio. How Did Black Art Get Its Start? Many believe that black art began amongst talented West Africans who often painted pictures about their suffering. Their emphasis was alway on the human figure, visual abstraction, sculpture, and performance art. The earliest form of art was African rock art created in the country of Niger. Traditional art was then created, and is often what's seen in museums today. This type of art included wooden masks - made with ivory, animal hair, plants, gems, and more. It also included the design of statutes made from wood or ivory. What exists today is mostly contemporary art. This is mainly paintings and drawings. Such work is contributed by African American and African artists, and displayed all over the world.