Rosa: The Works of Bryan Collier

The University Galleries will open its virtual exhibition on Feb. 24 titled “Rosa: The Works of Bryan Collier.” Collier, artist, author and illustrator, uses watercolor and collage to create his masterful illustrations. 

A graduate of Pratt Institute, Collier pursued a career in children’s illustration after feeling the current children’s book market had no connection to him or his children.

The exhibition is made possible through the generous art donation by Arthur Primus, Houston businessman who recently donated to North Carolina A&T 30 works of art, including works by Collier as well as works by artist Curtis James. 

The exhibition, “Rosa: The Works of Bryan Collier,” features 15 works by Collier that illustrate the 2005 children’s book, Rosa, written by poet and activist Nikki Giovanni. Rosa Parks, Civil Rights icon, sparked the Montgomery bus boycotts, by refusing to give up her seat in Montgomery, Alabama. She is considered "the mother of the civil rights movement.”

Curated by:  
Paul Baker, Ph.D. , Director of the University Galleries and Professor of History
Brea Johnson, MA, Guest Curator 

 This exhibit opening will be highlighted by a virtual program at 6 p.m. on Feb. 24, featuring Collier.  The artist will discuss his work as an acclaimed artist and African American children’s book illustrator. The program will be facilitated by noted actress and author, Angela Ray. The program is free and open to the public.  

Registration link is here:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iy6nOB_gSwaS2M1Fpwg97w

While at the Pratt Institute, Collier was a volunteer at the Harlem Horizon Art Studio located within the Harlem Hospital Center. The center is open to the children of the hospital as well as the children of the community. He later became the Program Director, a position he held for twelve years. He continues to volunteer for the organization to this day. Collier has since received numerous awards for his writing and illustrations, including four Caldecott Honors, and nine Coretta Scott King Awards (three honors and six winners). For one of his earliest books, Uptown, Collier also received the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award.

The public also can go online for other University Galleries virtual opportunities such as the exhibit titled “Black Art Matters." Currently the University Galleries hosting the in-person exhibition, “Behind the Veil:  Portraiture in African American Art.”  Social distancing and groups of 10 or less will be observed.

The University Galleries are located in the Dudley Building, 202 University Circle, off East Market Street on the A&T campus.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and Saturday by appointment only.

Learn more at the University Galleries website or by calling 336-334-3209.