It is widely understood that the African American contribution to American culture has been crucial, even definitive, in music and dance, and increasingly vital in literature and theater. This exhibition affords us the opportunity to see a cross-section of twentieth century achievement in the visual arts by African Americans. Shared Histories: African American Art from Local Collections will run from July 12th to August 18th with a free public reception from 6 to 8pm on July 12th.

Organized by Nelson Board incoming President Fel Ramey, the exhibition presents work by such world-famous artists as Betye Saar, Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett and Romare Bearden, as well as many others. All the work is being loaned from local private collections, modestly augmented by the Crocker Museum and the Nelson’s own collection. Nelson Director Renny Pritikin observes that, “This exhibition not only displays the tremendous visual arts talents in the African American tradition but also demonstrates the commitment to collecting of this work by residents of the Sacramento and Davis region.”

Thirty-four artists working in painting, drawing and sculpture will be represented in the exhibition.

Artists include:

Ernie Barnes
Romare Bearden
Charles Bibbs
Lynda E. Bibbs
Ella Mae Bolton
Milton Bowen
Manuelita Brown
Selma Burke
Margaret Taylor Burroughs
Elizabeth Catlett
Betty Davies
Aaron Douglas
David Driskell
Ed Dwight
Frank Frazier
Jonathan Green
Mike Henderson
Oliver Jackson
Charles Joyner
Jacob Lawrence
Edna McIver
Mamie McKinstry
Betye Saar
John T. Scott
Sir Shadow
Bernice Sims
Hughie Lee-Smith
Jimmy Lee Sudduth
Milan Tiff
Mose Tolliver
Charles White
Fred Wilson
Hale Woodruff
Joseph Yoakum

Image:
The Dancing Couple
Ernie Barnes

Image:
Standing Mother and Child
Elizabeth Catlett