Celebrating Black Culture Through Art

For the 23rd year in a row, The Lovett School celebrated Black history and culture through the school’s Unity and Heritage Art Show. The theme was “African Americans and the Arts” which was also the national theme for Black History Month.

The vision for this show has consistently been to create a platform for new conversations about historical contributions from the Black community, social justice, and equality issues. Lovett aims to celebrate important moments in world culture and display pieces that resonate in the hearts and minds of those viewing the art.

"The Unity and Heritage Art Show is a wonderful platform that not only celebrates the rich heritage and culture of the African American community but also educates and inspires people all year round," said Dr. Tommy Welch, Lovett's Chief of Community and Culture. "It fills our community with knowledge, pride, and a deeper appreciation for the arts while learning about Black history."

The annual Unity and Heritage Art Show started with the Hines Family back in 2001. The Hines Family includes Jeff, former vice chair of the Lovett Board of Trustees, Sivan, Renuka '04, and Matthew '09. The family has since passed the torch to Dr. Dameon and Kimberly Fisher, who have been collecting African art for more than 15 years. 

The Fishers believe art can be used as a means to share cultural stories surrounding African American history and legacy. They have built their collection around emerging and contemporary artists by attending studio visits and art galleries, traveling to various art fairs, and networking with other like-minded collectors. 

This year's display featured the work of eight prominent artists including Atlanta College of Art alumni Dr. Fahamu Pécou and Radcliffe Bailey. This collection was the biggest that the show had produced to date. "I don't think most people realized how valuable this collection is," said Welch. “Parents were shocked that we were able to have this artwork on display here at the School. Decades of passion and talent went into creating these pieces.” You can read more about each artist here.

By Anna Keller, Communications Manager