Artist as Activist and Visionary

Romare Bearden

Romare Bearden (1911–1988) was an artist of social conscience and action. Drawing on his own experiences, Bearden created narratives that reflect both the nostalgic rural North Carolina of his childhood and the vibrant urban life of places like Pittsburgh and Harlem. Bearden spent portions of his youth with his grandparents in Pittsburgh, graduating from Peabody High School in 1929. His 1984 mural Pittsburgh Recollections, installed at the Gateway T station, honors the city's history and its residents' work ethic. His work layers themes from literature and religion with everyday rituals like family dinners to create visual stories that depict and celebrate African American subjects. Featuring a diverse collection of original collages, watercolors, limited edition prints, and archival materials, this exhibition examines how Bearden agitated for social change through the visual arts and print media.
 

The exhibition was organized by the Romare Bearden Foundation, New York, NY. Exhibition Tour Management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.

Major support for the Pittsburgh presentation is provided by PNC.

Program Information

Romare Bearden: Artist as Activist and Visionary

Dates: April 30, 2022 - September 18, 2022
Location: The Frick Art Museum
Admission:
Members: Free
Adults: $15
Seniors, students, and military: $13
Youth 6–16: $8
Youth 5 and under: Free
PA EBT ACCESS card users: $1

Tickets

Programs

Romare Bearden: Artist as Activist and Visionary is also made possible by

Partners:
Bob Hernandez and Karen Blumen
Millie and Gary Ryan
Tomayko Foundation
Nancy D. Washington, Ph.D.

Supporters:
Elizabeth E. Barker, Ph.D.
Dawn and Chris Fleischner
Barbara Noble Howard and Chris Howard, DPhil
James, Rebecca, and Hattie Mauch

Contributors:
Paul T. Harper, PhD, and Yodit Harper, DSW
Barb Weizenbaum and Bob Gorby
Susanne Wilkinson

Friends:
Daria Crawley
Deborah James
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Schuetz
Darrell & Denise Smalley in support of Barbara Howard
Darrell Smalley
Maisha Sturdivant
Betsy and Charles Watkins

Community Supporters:
Anonymous (3)
Susan Bails and Howard Wein
Pegeen Eslami and Mohammad Eslami
David J. Fabilli
Jodi and Zeb Golomb
Alan James
Betsy and Jim Morgan
Mary A. Navarro
Bette B. Rom
Ellen A. Sandidge
Dawne Sohn and Diane Sohn
Judith Touré and Roy Briere
Traci Weatherford-Brown

Community Members:
Anonymous (2)
Ms. Elizabeth M. Albright
PJ and Dennis Aubrey
Susan Bonello
Susan Caplan and Jeremy Shmois
Elaine Effort
Chris and Norah Guignon
Norton Gusky
Donna Hetrick
Scarlet La Rue
Mary P. Mariani
D. McCaskill
Fritz Okie
Judy Hoffmann Shackney
Ghost Snyder
Ms. Monique Van Damme and Mr. Gregg Rosen
Sara Weeks-Gloddy
Dr. Mary Wylie

Above: Romare Bearden (American, 1911–1988). Baptism (detail), 1975. Screenprint. © 2022 Romare Bearden Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.

Exhibitions landing page: Romare Bearden (American, 1911–1988). Homage to Mary Lou (The Piano Lesson), (detail), 1983. Lithograph. © 2022 Romare Bearden Foundation / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY. Courtesy DC Moore Gallery, NY.

It's free to visit The Frick Pittsburgh.

Plan your visit