University Galleries to host Artist Bryan Collier Virtual Exhibition and Program

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (February 17, 2021) – The University Galleries at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, will open the virtual exhibition, “Rosa: The Works of Bryan Collier” highlighted by a virtual program on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m., featuring Collier. The artist will discuss his work as an acclaimed artist and African American children’s book illustrator. The virtual program will be facilitated by noted actress and author, Angela Ray, and is free and open to the public through registration.

The virtual exhibition is made possible through the generous art donation by Arthur Primas, a Texas businessman who recently donated 30 works of art to A&T, including works by Collier and works by artist Curtis James.

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

Collier, an artist, author and illustrator, uses watercolor and collage to create his masterful illustrations. A graduate of the Pratt Institute, he pursued a career in children’s illustration after feeling the current children’s book market had no connection to him or his children. 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.

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.

The public can also visit the website to view other University Galleries virtual exhibitions including “Black Art Matters." The University Galleries is also hosting the in-person exhibition, “Behind the Veil: Portraiture in African American Art” until March 26. 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.