Written by and photos by L. M. Land
Featured photo: Ed Watkins, etching Black Artist show GFAC
There are three excellent art shows in Flint right now featuring work by Black artists, ranging from local artists to the internationally famous.
The Greater Flint Arts Council, The MW Gallery and The Flint Institute of Arts all have excellent exhibits hanging now that celebrate Black artists. Exhibition time is limited, so be sure to go soon to visit and support Black arts in Flint. All exhibits are free for Genesee County members.
- The Greater Flint Arts Council (GFAC) sponsors the African American Artists of Michigan exhibit every February for Black History Month. The 2025 show is outstanding, and you need to see the richness of the creativity in our own community. The show opened at Art Walk on February 14, with music was by Phil Young and friends.
This is a mixed media show; so, there are paintings, digital artwork, clay, glass, photography and mixed media images like Gloria Watson’s paintings which include found materials.
Dr. Sharon Simeon’s glass vessel took my breath away. We’ve taken glass classes together at the Flint Institute of Arts, and Simeon’s creativity and ability to push the media into new forms is a talent I really admire. Simeon also has bead embroidery and a watercolor in the exhibit.
Ed Watkins prints (in featured photo above) are outstanding always. Watkins exhibits nationally and has work in the permanent collection at the Flint Institute of Arts. Watkins powerful images reflect his life experience as a Black man and artist.
Many other artists are in the exhibit, Sifus Thompson’s drawings, Valorie Horton’s recent work in pottery, Regina Dunn’s new paintings. Also showing are Edith Withey, L A Moore, Carla Harden, The Art School Dropout, Isis Seraphis, GGGGG, Denarcus Smith and more.
The show will run through March 7, hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, located in downtown Flint, at 816 S. Saginaw St. (the building with the Vernors mural on it) 810.238.2787.
- MW Gallery is pleased to present Figuratively Speaking, an exhibition highlighting artworks that tell a story. It will be on display until August 23, 2025. Figuratively Speaking is drawn from the wide-ranging Mott-Warsh Collection of art which focuses on acclaimed artists of the African Diaspora.
Guided tours are available each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 12:00PM. Led by knowledgeable gallery staff, you will gain understanding about the art and artist on display.
MW Gallery is located directly across the street from the GFAC, 815 S. Saginaw Street | Flint, Mi 48502, Open 11:00a–6:00p Thursday and Friday, 11:00a–5:00p Saturday and 11:00a–9:00p the 2nd Friday of Each Month for Art Walk. 810.835.4900
- The Flint Institute of Arts also celebrates Black artists every February and in general, is very committed to representation of Black artists in general. They throw a Community Gala fundraiser every February to purchase and support art by acclaimed Black artists. This year there are two strong shows you must see, which are on display until April 19, 2025.
Romare Bearden: Artist as Activist and Visionary is a real treat to have in Flint! Bearden lived from 1911 to 1988, and was one of the most prolific American artists of his time.
Internationally acclaimed, Bearden was a fine artist, educator, social worker, scholar and more. When looking at his work, you will see that his inspiration came from everyday life in both the rural south and urban America.
To learn more about this remarkable man and become inspired yourself, go to: https://beardenfoundation.org/romare-bearden/
Bearden used many types of media to get the results he desired, one of which was collage.
The second exhibit you should see is another collage artist from Detroit, Judy Bowman, titled We Loved the Swag: From Black Bottom Until Now.
Bowman grew up on the Eastside of Detroit, called Black Bottom. Paralleling the St. John area in Flint, Black Bottom was torn out in the 1960s to be replaced by I-375, removing a richly cultured Black neighborhood. The life and style of beloved people in Black Bottom inspired Bowman to create the work on display.
Bowman’s own favorite piece is an image of Bowman sitting on her father’s lap as a child.
Bowman’s work is also nationally and internationally collected.
The Flint Institute of Arts has much more to see as well! Head over to the Cultural Center, 1120 E. Kearsley Street. More information is available at FlintArts.org, or by calling 810.234.1695.
Savor this special trio of art while you can!
