Dr. John Biggers--

Dr. John Biggers was a true pioneer of art.  Not only did he pave new ground for minority artists, but he also gave significance to art mediums previously viewed as lower status.  Biggers blended the painting style of Mexican murals with the 1930s murals commissioned by the U.S. government as part of the Federal Arts Project to create provoking, large scale paintings depicting the lives of black men and women.  During the late 50s-early 60s, he created his best known and most renowned work, Jubilee: Ghana Harvest Festival, using this style of painting.  The painting was created following Biggers' trip to Africa in 1957.  Sponsored by UNESCO, Biggers was among the first African American artists to visit Africa. 

Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, in 1924, Dr. John Biggers served in World War II before completing both his BA, MA, PhD in art education at Pennsylvania State University.

Besides numerous group and solo exhibitions, Biggers' art is displayed in permanent collections throughout the United States, including The Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C.; Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas; Howard University, Washington, D.C.; and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas.

Dr. Biggers passed away in 2001 but his legacy as an artist lives on.