20 North Gallery Hosts “Black History Month 2013: The American Experience”

Jan. 21, 2013 - PRLog -- Local, regional and national African-American artists present cooperative community exhibition in the longest-running Black History Month event in Toledo

Toledo, OH—January 21, 2013.      On Friday, January 25th, the art exhibit “Black History Month 2013: The American Experience” will open at 20 North Gallery.  The exhibition will continue through Saturday, March 2, 2013.  This annual exhibit was founded by Peggy Grant (Art Director Emerita of 20 North Gallery) in 1977, shortly after Congress enacted legislation recognizing the month of February as Black History Month in the United States.  Since then, the show has been exhibited throughout various locations in the Toledo community and for eighteen years has been proudly presented at 20 North Gallery.  This event has become an integral part of Toledo’s Black History Month celebrations—and in recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of prominent African-American artists and leaders in the community.

Each year’s exhibit showcases artwork of the best Black artists of the region, as well as many nationally recognized artists.  The exhibition is made possible this year by the dedicated efforts of the Black History Month Exhibit Committee, chaired by artist Aaron S. Bivins, and is supported by the generous contributions of the City of Toledo / Mayor Michael P. Bell; JN House Enterprises, Inc.; Dale-Riggs Funeral Home, Inc.; Aaron Bivins, 20 North Gallery  and other community-minded corporations and individuals.

Now a cooperative community exhibition, self-curated by the participating artists, the 36th annual Black History Month exhibit celebrates the “American Experience” from the perspective of ten local and regional African-American artists.  Displayed in “Black History Month 2013: The American Experience” will be the work of celebrated Toledo-area artists: Larenza Arnold; Aaron S. Bivins; Charles T. Gabriel, Jr.; Elizabeth V. Jordan; Ahavalyn Pitts; Brenda Price; Robert E. Shorter and Mack Walton; as well as John Wade III from Ft. Wayne, Indiana and sweeping landscape paintings by the exhibit’s nationally-distinguished featured artist, Steven S. Walker of Westerville, Ohio.

Steven S. Walker (Westerville, Ohio) “Black History Month 2013” Featured Artist: Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Steven S. Walker has always been captivated by art.  After earning his BFA at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, he began his career as a freelance illustrator.  He has since worked with numerous clients such as the Boy Scouts of America, “Highlights for Children” magazine, the Columbus Marathon and the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  In that time span, he also illustrated five children’s books.

Only a few years after graduation, Walker was asked to teach on a part-time basis at his alma mater.  After teaching for a few semesters, he decided to pursue his MFA at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

After earning his MFA, he began focusing his efforts toward fine art.  After a string of small shows at coffee shops and libraries, his focus turned to gallery exhibition.  Since his venture into gallery life, his landscapes have been well received by collectors.  His paintings are part of several permanent corporate and public collections such as Hilton Hotels, the Boy Scouts of America, Dominion Resources and the United States Air Force.

Steven S. Walker has been included in numerous local and national competitions including the “Richeson 75 Landscape Competition” in Kimberly, Wisconsin; the Maryland Federation of Art “American Landscape” competition in Annapolis; “The Ohio Plein Air” competition in Columbus, Ohio where he won a blue ribbon and the “2012 International Salon Competition” in San Antonio, Texas.  Walker also had the privilege of being a part of a museum exhibition with the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia as well as having a statewide traveling exhibition with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.

Mr. Walker resides with his wife Evelyn in Westerville, Ohio where he participates with several local art groups when he’s not preparing for a show or teaching workshops.  Currently, his work is represented by the B. Deemer Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky; The Sharon Weiss Gallery in Columbus, Ohio; Vision Gallery in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina; Nan Miller Gallery in Rochester, New York and the Glave Kocen Gallery in Richmond, Virginia.

20 North Gallery, the Black History Month Exhibit Committee and the exhibiting artists will be welcoming friends and collectors at the free Opening Reception on Friday, January 25th, from 6 - 9p.m.  Reception attendees can begin Black History Month by enjoying light refreshments and conversations with these regional artists and reminiscences with exhibition founder, Peggy Grant.  Special tribute will be paid to the exhibition sponsors and supporters at 7p.m.

To view an online exhibition catalogue of “Black History Month 2013: The American Experience”: visit www.20northgallery.net  (The website posting begins January 25, 2013.)

What: “Black History Month 2013: The American Experience” art exhibit
Where: 20 North Gallery, 18 N. St. Clair Street, (Downtown) Toledo, Ohio  43604, 419-241-2400

When:   January 25 – March 2, 2013

Exhibit Hours
Wednesday – Saturday:
Noon – 4 p.m.
and By Appointment

Free Opening Reception — Friday, January 25, 2013, 6 – 9 p.m.

For More Information Contact: Condessa Croninger (Art Director) or visit www.20northgallery.net

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