"The Cultivators," Samuel L. Dunson, Jr.
Courtesy of The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection
Treasures from The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection
organized by
The Bernard & Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Arts & Education
and KBK Enterprises, Incorporated
April 22 – July 28, 2022
Allan Bense Atrium
Holley Academic Center
Let History Come Alive
The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection celebrates the achievements of Black Americans spanning 400 years. One of the most comprehensive collections of African American history and culture, cultivated by Shirley and Bernard Kinsey over 40 years, the collection includes African American paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, rare books, and documents — from a bronze that bust of Frederick Douglass to letters by Malcolm X and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary source historical objects and artifacts date from 1595 to the present day, and artwork dates to 1865, painting a clearer picture of African American’s triumphs despite overwhelming obstacles.
“The story is not a Black story; it’s an American story. We are really proud of our work and believe it’s the kind of work America needs right now.”
- Bernard Kinsey