University Galleries to Host Art Exhibition, “Behind the Veil: Portraiture in African American Art”

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Feb. 9, 2021) – The University Galleries at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is hosting a new art exhibition, “Behind the Veil: Portraiture in African American Art.” Featuring works from A&T’s permanent art collection, the on-site exhibition will be available until March 26, 2021.

Comprising of art spanning over 100 years, this exhibition showcases the power, mystery and beauty of the Black portrait. Sixteen works by artists such as Ben Shahn, John Wilson and Michael Pendergrass feature an array of subjects that transcend race, gender and era. Behind the Veil displays the diversity of emotions and techniques translated through portraiture art. The exhibition includes a diverse array of portraits that celebrate the African American as the aesthetic focus. Highlighted works in the exhibition that demonstrate the strength in Black portraiture include Student by LeRoy Holmes, Jr., Music From Afar by A. Debela and James Benson Dudley by H.C. Taylor.

“This year, the theme of the University Galleries is Activism,” said Paul Baker, Ph.D., director of A&T’s University Galleries. “Our goal is to showcase the power and purpose of Black art and the motivated artists who create it through virtual and in-person exhibitions.”

The galleries’ current virtual exhibition is titled “Black Art Matters: Works from the Permanent Collection” and features art spanning from the 1930s to the early 2000s.

Additional upcoming exhibitions and events include:

Feb. 24, 2021 Opening of the virtual exhibition, “Rosa:  The Art of Bryan Collier”

Feb. 24, 2021  “A Conversation with Artist and Illustrator Bryan Collier” Virtual Program

April 1, 2021  Opening of the on-site exhibition, “Freedom Ship: The Art of Curtis James

The University Galleries are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibitions are free and open to the public. Social distancing will be observed. Small groups of 10 or less are welcome.