Azikiwe Mohammed ’05 Founds Black Painters Academy, a New School Dedicated to Black Art History

Azikiwe Mohammed ’05 observed that drop-in painting classes focused largely on white, Western artists. He’s working to create a free space that will shift the paradigm. The Black Painters Academy, located in Lower Manhattan, is set to open early next year, as a school where aspiring painters can learn from the rich history of Black art. Classes will be entirely free of charge and open to students of all ages. Mohammed especially hopes to engage those who may not have access to painting classes or feel unwelcome in such spaces, including many people of color. “You’re seeing a lot more Black identifying painters in the field moving around, more Black objects. It’s incredible, it’s absolutely beautiful to see,” he told Hyperallergic. “But where are the other ones? What if we had a building where we could help make some more?”

Post Date: 11-24-2020