The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art will host a special exhibition Feb. 11 through April 17, featuring original artworks and prints by David Driskell on loan from galleries, private collections and institutions plus photographs and artifacts from the artist’s early life. 

David C. Driskell (1931-2020) was a prolific artist, scholar, curator and Putnam County native.

The exhibition will include a special arts education component for students of all grade levels from surrounding counties. Students nominated by area art teachers will create original mixed media artwork inspired by Driskell’s artistic style and legacy. 

Cash prizes will be awarded at the elementary, middle school and high school levels in three categories (Best Artwork, Outstanding Artist Statement, and Best Use of Line and Color in an Artwork) to encourage development in Creative Skills, Writing and Arts Interpretation. 

Selected works by the students will be on display in the West Gallery of the Museum along with an impressive array of original Driskell collages, prints and paintings. 

Visit https://steffenthomas.org for hours, admission fees, and safety protocols. To schedule a visit email info@steffenthomas.org or call 706-342-7557. 

Other area institutions honoring Driskell this year include the High Museum of Art and September Gray Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta. Please see their websites (high.org and septembergrayart.com) for exhibition dates and hours of operation. 

Driskell is revered for his role in uplifting artists of color

and developing African-American Art as a distinct field of study. He curated countless exhibitions, authored seven books, and served as a professor of art at multiple colleges and universities until his retirement in 2019. Such was his impact on American Art that he was honored in 2001 with the creation of The David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora at the University of Maryland, College Park. The High Museum of Art created the Driskell Prize in 2005 honoring significant contributions to the field of African American Art. 

This exhibition was made possible by the generous support of the Brenda and Larry Thompson Collection of African American Art, the David C. Driskell

Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the September Gray Fine Art gallery.

The Steffen Thomas Museum is located at 4200 Bethany Road, Buckhead, Ga.