Mathieu Jean Baptiste, N L, 2024, acrylic and oil on panel | Afi Ese, Sir Charles, II, 2024, oil on canvas | Mathieu Jean Baptiste, N L pt2, 2024, acrylic and oil on panel
The biennial Citywide African American Artists Exhibition is a collaboration between the University Museum at Texas Southern University and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The exhibition offers all artists of the African Diaspora in the Greater Houston area the opportunity to show their work to a broader public and art-collecting community.
The 2024 exhibition was curated by Christopher Blay, director of public programs at the National Juneteenth Museum. It was on view at the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from December 12, 2024, through January 12, 2025. The 2024 Artist prizes were juried by Dr. Laura Augusta, Jane Dale Owen Director & Chief Curator of Blaffer Art Museum; Christina Grubitz, Curator at Houston Public Library; and Christopher Paul, Houston artist.
1st Prize: Sir Charles, II by Afi Ese
2nd Prize: Green with Envy by Jon Gilcrist
3rd Prize: Circle of Trust by Eddie Filer, Jr.
Special Mentions: Fragmentation I by Ebony, Opulence V by Jaymes Earl, All Night Long / Around the Way Girl by Quentin Pace
Curator's Choice Award: Jesus Pieces by Christopher Crooke
5A (MFAH African American Art Advisory Association) Choice Award: Our Bookcase by Patricia Henderson
Please visit both locations to see artwork by Shawn Artis, Mathieu Jean Baptiste, Mikal Boston, Rodney D. Butler, Sinden Collier, Christopher Crooke, John NEGRASSO Duncan, Jaymes Earl, Ebony, Anne Edwards, Afi Ese, Eddie Filer, Jr., Melissa Fontenette-Mitchell, Sara Ford, Marc Furi, Jon Gilchrist, Karl E. Hall, Patricia Henderson, Prof. Charles Holmes a.k.a. Hakeem Hassan, Monae Jacobs, Dannye Jones, Christie Leday, C. M. Lewis, Terry Madison, Quentin Pace, Romeo Clay Robinson, Daniel Sam, Shunshieva, La'Toya Smith, Oluseyi Soyege, Kamryn Sterling, Roy Vinson Thomas, Vonola Joseph Trinidad, Vernon, and Rickale West.
EXPLORE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Oscar and Maudene McNary Collection (MSS 0022)
The Oscar and Maudene McNary Collection reflects the lives of Oscar and Maudene McNary as art collectors and art consultants, and the many artists they have known both professionally and personally over the years. This collection, which dates from 1915 to 2008, consists of news clippings, correspondence, programs, photographs, art books, art related publications, and art and artifacts created by African American artists including John Biggers, Carroll Harris Simms, Jacob Lawrence, and Robert Neal Williams.
CHECK OUT THE CATALOG
Kid/Juvenile
- Ames, Lee J., Draw the Draw 50 Way: How to Draw Cats, Puppies, Horses, Buildings, Birds, Aliens, Boats, Trains, and Everything Else Under the Sun
- Crilley, Mark, The Drawing Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Teaches You How to Draw
- Freeman, Daniel, The Beginner Art Book for Kids: Learn How to Draw, Paint, Sculpt, and More!
- Knutson, Julie, Project Row Houses
- Llimós Plomer, Anna, Easy Clay Crafts in 5 Steps
- Vagts, Carolyn S., I Can Quilt
Adult
- Biggers, John Thomas, Black Art in Houston: The Texas Southern University Experience
- Bunch, Robert Craig, The Art of Found Objects: Interviews with Texas Artists
- de Lima Greene, Alison, Texas: 150 Works from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Graves, Laia Farran, The Story of the Hermès Scarf
- Finkelpearl, Tom, What We Made: Conversations on Art and Social Cooperation
- McEvilley, Thomas, Bert Long: The Artist's Journey
- Theisen, Ollie Jensen, A Life on Paper: The Drawings and Lithographs of John Thomas Biggers
- Theisen, Ollie Jensen, Walls that Speak: The Murals of John Thomas Biggers
- Wardlaw, Alvia, J., The Art of John Biggers: View from the Upper Room
Watch
- Garrison, Andrew, Third Ward TX
Create with our Library of Things!
This exhibition is partnership with Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the University Museum at Texas Southern University, and is generously supported by Houston Public Library, Houston Public Library Foundation, and the City of Houston.