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Paintings of Inspirational Artists & Professors:

The Black Male Artist Professor Series

Paintings of Inspirational Artists & Professors: The Black Male Artist-Professor Series is a richly illustrated collection of portrait paintings, essays, and educational resources celebrating twenty-five distinguished Black male artist-professors whose contributions to visual art, education, scholarship, mentorship, and leadership have profoundly shaped the cultural and educational landscape of the United States. Created by visual artist, professor, and author Ligel Lambert between 2023 and 2026, this publication honors individuals whose influence extends far beyond their artistic achievements to the generations they have inspired through teaching, research, service, and creative practice.

The book features portrait paintings of Ligel Lambert, Sanford Biggers, Dr. James Rolling, Jr., Kerry James Marshall, Didier William, Jacob Lawrence, William T. Williams, Robert Reed, Derrick Adams, Meleko Mokgosi, Odili Donald Odita, Dr. Sharif Bey, Richard Mayhew, Mark Thomas Gibson, Dr. B. Stephen Carpenter II, Charles White, Stanley Whitney, Imo Nse Imeh, Larry Walker, Nick Cave, Glenn Ligon, David Driskell, Dr. Bernard Young, Joseph Norman, and Benjamin Leroy "Ben" Wigfall. Together, these artists represent multiple generations of artist-educators whose work has expanded opportunities, challenged conventions, and enriched conversations about art, culture, identity, history, and social responsibility.

Essay contributions by Ligel Lambert, Dr. Judith M. Burton, Dr. Wanda B. Knight, Dr. B. Stephen Carpenter II, Kyle M. Robertson, Dr. Stephen C. Newbold, Jr., Dr. Nicole P. Johnson, Dr. Brittany L. Myburgh, Dr. Zerric Clinton, Téa Chai Beer, Theresa Clowes, Dr. Mary Soylu, and Hopeton St. Clair Hibbert, Jr. provide additional scholarly insight into the significance of the series.

Drawing inspiration from Fauvism, Geometric Abstraction, Abstract Expressionism, and Symbolism, the portraits employ vibrant color, expressive mark-making, geometric structure, and symbolic imagery to convey each subject's character, accomplishments, and educational legacy. Accompanied by twenty-five educational posters derived from the series, this volume serves as both a visual archive and a tribute, preserving and celebrating the enduring impact of Black male artist-professors whose work continues to inspire, educate, and transform communities across generations.

ISBNs: Paperback: 9798996698912  |      eBook: 9798996698905 |  Hardback: 9798996698929

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Paintings of Inspirational Artists & Professors: The Black Male Artist Professor Series

Paintings of Inspirational Artists & Professors: The Black Male Artist Professor Series
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Paintings of Inspirational Artists & Professors: The Black Male Artist Professor Series

Authors

Ligel Lambert

Ligel Lambert

Ligel Lambert is an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary artist, designer, professor, author, and entrepreneur whose creative practice spans painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, assemblage, and sculpture. He is an adjunct professor at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, an adjunct lecturer at Hunter College, and a part-time faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City, where he teaches studio art. Originally from Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, Ligel grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and became a U.S. citizen in 2003 while serving in the United States Marine Corps from 2000 to 2004. His global experiences—living and working in Japan, South Korea, China, and the U.S.—inform his artistic approach. Ligel holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art and Painting from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia (2013), an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida (2021), and a BFA in Graphic Design (2011). He has collaborated with artists such as Wycliffe Gordon, Howard R. Paul, and Bob James, and his work has been exhibited internationally in New York City, Savannah, Suzhou, Melbourne, Jacksonville, Virginia Beach, and Raleigh. Ligel’s artwork is included in private and public collections, including RMIT University, the Tisdell Cottage Foundation, the Coastal Jazz Association, the City of Jacksonville, and the personal collections of Wycliffe Gordon and Kasseem Dean (Swizz Beatz). He is a doctoral candidate at Columbia University’s Teachers College, focusing on research, leadership, and college-level studio art teaching in higher education, and resides in New York City, New York, USA. Visit WWW.LIGEL.COM to explore Ligel’s original artwork & art commission opportunities.

Dr. Judith M. Burton

Dr. Judith M. Burton

Dr. Judith M. Burton is the Macy Chair of Education at Columbia University Teachers College. She received her Ed.D. from Harvard University, and her research focuses on the artistic-aesthetic development of children, adolescents, and young adults, as well as implications for teaching, learning, and culture in general. She has two co-edited books in print: Conversations in Art: The Dialectics of Teaching and Learning and Turning Points: Responsive Pedagogy in Studio Art Education. She has authored numerous articles and chapters and currently has two books in the process of publication. Dr. Burton is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts in Great Britain, a Distinguished Fellow of the NAEA, and serves as Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Tsinghua University, both in Beijing, PRC. She is a trustee of the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD, and the NAEA Eisner Lifetime Achievement honoree for 2015, in recognition of her services to the profession both nationally and globally.

Dr. Wanda B. Knight

Dr. Wanda B. Knight

Dr. Wanda B. Knight made history as the first woman of color to serve as president of the 16,000-member National Art Education Association (2023–2025). A first-generation college student, she earned degrees from North Carolina Central University, Saginaw Valley State University, and The Ohio State University. She has built a transformative career defined by her commitment to equity and social justice. Dr. Knight is a tenured full professor of art education, African American studies, women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and bioethics at Penn State University. She has served as Head of the Department of African American Studies and as Penn State Harrisburg’s inaugural Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. A nationally and internationally sought-after speaker and widely published author, she is committed to dismantling systemic barriers and building inclusive academic communities through education and the arts —partnering extensively with nonprofits, educational institutions, and businesses, including a Fortune 500 company.

B. Stephen Carpenter II

B. Stephen Carpenter II

Dr. B. Stephen Carpenter II is the Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Dean in the College of Arts and Architecture and professor of art education and African American studies. He is the chief executive artist for Reservoir Studio, was a founding co-director of the Summer Institute on Contemporary Art (SICA), a professional development workshop for preK-12 art teachers, and a founding co-director of the SoVA Studio for Sustainability and Social Action, which received a Penn State Strategic Initiative Seed Grant for 2019-2021. During the 2017-2018 academic year, he was Ida Ely Rubin Artist-in-Residence, MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology and Department of Urban Studies and Planning, and Artist and Learner-in-Residence, Easterly Parkway Elementary School. Steve’s research in art education spans curriculum theory; professional development for preK-12 teachers through contemporary art; public pedagogy, participatory art practices, and socially engaged art practice; critical art education studies; and the global water crisis as curriculum and social action. His mixed-media and performance artworks confront and disrupt social, historical, cultural, and political constructs. He is co-editor of Professional Development in Art Museums: Strategies of Engagement Through Contemporary Art (2018); The Palgrave Handbook of Race and the Arts in Education (2018); Curriculum for a Progressive, Provocative, Poetic, and Public Pedagogy (2006); and co-author of Interdisciplinary Approaches to Teaching Art in High School (2006). Steve was senior editor of Studies in Art Education (2017-2019) and served previously as co-editor of the Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy (2010-2013) and editor of Art Education (2004-2006). He is a member of the international editorial board of Curriculum Inquiry and a National Art Education Association (NAEA) Distinguished Fellow.

Kyle M. Robertson

Kyle M. Robertson

Kyle M. Robertson is a creative strategist, educator, artist, and researcher whose work explores the intersection of creativity, faith, education, and cultural impact. He holds a B.F.A. in Studio Art from CUNY Queens College, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Georgia State University, and an M.F.A. in Media Design from Full Sail University. As the founder of Connected 2 Create, Robertson equips creatives, entrepreneurs, educators, and organizations to transform vision into meaningful action through branding, storytelling, and strategic development. His professional experience spans K–12, nonprofit leadership, ministry, and creative consulting, where he has led initiatives in arts education, media, and community engagement. His scholarship examines creativity as both a transformative practice and a catalyst for personal and organizational growth, reflecting his commitment to empowering others to create with purpose, excellence, and lasting impact.

Dr. Stephen C. Newbold, Jr.

Dr. Stephen C. Newbold, Jr.

Dr. Stephen C. Newbold, Jr. is a native of Miami, Florida, an artist and educator based in Washington, D.C., and a three-time alumnus of the College of Fine Arts at The Florida State University. He has earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Art History and Political Science (2006), a Master of Science degree in Art Education (2020), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Art Education (2024). His eighteen-year career in K-12 education fuels his desire to motivate and move people through art for social justice. His work on the Black male’s experiences in K-12 learning spaces—both as a student and a teacher— has inspired an inquiry into the blues and the relationship between trial and triumph.

Dr. Nicole Johnson

Dr. Nicole Johnson

Dr. Nicole Johnson is a visual artist, art educator, and researcher from Kingston, Jamaica. She earned her doctorate in Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, where she served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Program in Art and Art Education. Her work in higher education has focused on studio practice, arts-based inquiry, and identity-focused pedagogy. Nicole’s drawing and painting practice explores themes of tension, iteration, identity, and perception through the lens of Black womanhood. Her research examines art educators’ development of professional and pedagogical identities, the racialized professional experiences of higher education faculty of color, and decolonizing approaches to art curriculum and pedagogy. She is particularly interested in how creative practice and reflective pedagogies support meaning-making, identity exploration, and critical engagement in art education.

Dr. Brittany Myburgh

Dr. Brittany Myburgh

Dr. Brittany Myburgh is an interdisciplinary art historian, curator, and educator specializing in global visual culture, digital humanities, and the intersections of art, technology, and community engagement. She earned her Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Toronto and holds a B.F.A. (Hons) and B.A. in Art History from the University of Auckland. At Jackson State University, Dr. Myburgh teaches undergraduate and graduate courses across art history, contemporary art theory, and museum studies. Her pedagogy is rooted in student-centered, interdisciplinary learning, integrating digital tools and critical inquiry to foster creative thinking and global perspectives. She is deeply committed to inclusive education, equity-centered curriculum design, and expanding access to creative technologies. In 2023, she received the Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year award. Dr. Myburgh curates the Department of Art’s Permanent Collection and serves as Chair of the Department Gallery Committee. She has led strategic initiatives that connect the university’s art and design programs with broader innovations in digital storytelling, interdisciplinary research, and workforce development. She is also a Teaching Fellow with the Center for Teaching and Learning, supporting faculty development in inclusive and technology-enhanced pedagogy.

Dr. Zerric Clinton

Dr. Zerric Clinton

Dr. Zerric Clinton holds a BFA in Art Education from Valdosta State University, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Valdosta State University, and a PhD in Art Education from Florida State University. For over 25 years, he has built a distinguished career as an educator, scholar, and practicing artist, earning numerous honors and national recognition for excellence in teaching and leadership. His awards include the 2015 GAEA Secondary Art Educator of the Year; recognition as the Most Influential Teacher of an Honor Student in 2004 and 2012 at Cairo High School; and his election as President of the Georgia Art Education Association in 2017. He is a selected participant in the NAEA School for Arts Leaders program and has been active in national and state arts education initiatives. He currently participates in the Infectious Creativity exhibition at Kennesaw State University, maintains a studio at Hood Street Art Center in McDonough, Georgia, and teaches art at Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia. His work has been exhibited nationally in venues including the Mozaik Art Museum in Los Angeles, Freedom of Abstraction in Brooklyn, and the McNeese Art Show in Lake Charles, among many others across Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. He is a frequent presenter at national and state conferences, addressing topics such as visual culture, media influence on youth, and equity in art education at institutions including Columbia University, Florida State University, and the National Art Education Association. He advocates for transformative and socially engaged arts education practice nationally.

Téa (Chai) Beer

Téa (Chai) Beer

Téa (Chai) Beer (she/her, b. 1995, Boston, MA) is a multimedia artist who works primarily in drawing and painting and is based in Queens, NY. She received her MFA in Painting from Boston University in 2024 and her BA in Art (Painting/ Printmaking) from Yale University in 2017. She attended the Yale Norfolk School of Art in 2016 and the Florence Academy of Art for figurative sculpture in 2017; she also attended the Hewnoaks Artist Residency in 2023. Beer was the Project Manager at Passenger Pigeon Press and assistant to multimedia artist Tammy Nguyen from 2017 to 2022. Her work has been shown in group shows across North America.

Theresa Clowes

Theresa Clowes

Artist and educator Theresa Clowes translates environmental data into abstract landscapes and public installations, inviting viewers to forge a deeper connection with our natural world. For over three decades, her work has explored the complex predicament of global warming and our ecological impact. Rather than dwelling on ominous dangers, Clowes emphasizes the joy of possibility and the prospect of ecological equilibrium. With a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art, her commitment to art is mirrored in her long-standing career as an educator. She has served as a Full Professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design for the past 16 years, and before that, for 12 years in K-12 art education. Clowes believes that being an artist and a teacher both stem from the heart and soul. Clowes is represented by Walker Fine Art Gallery in Denver, CO, and her public installations can be experienced throughout Denver and the surrounding Colorado area.

Dr. Mary Soylu

Dr. Mary Soylu

Dr. Mary Soylu is an Assistant Professor at Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL, where she teaches undergraduate courses in art history and art education. She has been honored with numerous awards for pedagogical excellence and has received funding from the National Academies, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the National Art Education Foundation (NAEF), among others. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and her artwork has been shown nationally and at museums and art venues in the South. Her research and teaching interests broadly include equity-centered pedagogy and community-engaged knowledge production, change agency, sustainability, African American art history, and social justice.

Hopeton St. Clair Hibbert, Jr.

Hopeton St. Clair Hibbert, Jr.

Hopeton St. Clair Hibbert, Jr. is a New Jersey-born, Atlanta-based multidisciplinary artist and cultural organizer whose work explores themes of labor, identity, memory, and perception. Working across sculpture, photography, and mixed media, he investigates the relationship between external experience and internal consciousness, often using salvaged materials and abstract imagery to examine cultural history and personal reflection. His ongoing Ode to John Henry sculpture series draws inspiration from the legendary folk hero, exploring resilience, innovation, and the enduring value of human labor in an increasingly technological world. His photographic works, including the Double Consciousness series, transform natural forms into psychological landscapes that invite contemplation and self-discovery. Hibbert is President of the Uppercircle Artist Collektive and founder of Conduit Conversations, a public forum dedicated to fostering dialogue among artists, collectors, curators, and cultural leaders. His work has been exhibited nationally and is represented in private, corporate, and public collections. Through his practice, he seeks to create work that bridges history, culture, and the complexities of contemporary life.

Contributors | Sponsors

Lucia Liss (Photographer)

Lucia Liss (Photographer)

Lucia Liss is a German-American photographer / visual storyteller living and working between New York City and Los Angeles. WEBSITE www.lucialiss.com SELECT CLIENTS Ligel Lambert, Armand de Brignac, Blackbird, La Fermière, Katherine Lincoln Jewelry, Rho, Copilot, AngelList, Mill, Brooklyn Grange, Murmeration, Studio Formichella, Studio LGB, Deerstags

T.A.L. DESIGNZ (Interior Layout | Book Cover Design | Sponsor)

T.A.L. DESIGNZ (Interior Layout | Book Cover Design | Sponsor)

T.A.L. DESIGNZ is based in New York City, New York, and offers creative design and custom laser engraving services at affordable prices. We bring your ideas to life with precision, style, and quality craftsmanship for personal and business needs.

THE ART OF LIGEL, LLC (Marketing Support | Sponsor)

THE ART OF LIGEL, LLC (Marketing Support | Sponsor)

THE ART OF LIGEL, LLC is a multidisciplinary art studio dedicated to creating meaningful artistic experiences through original artwork, commissioned artwork, commissioned murals, and engaging art-making programs. Serving mature young adults, adults, and older adults, the studio provides opportunities for creative exploration, skill development, and personal expression through a diverse range of artistic practices. WEBSITE: www.Ligel.com

Myers Foundations (Sponsor)

Myers Foundations (Sponsor)

The Myers Foundation, in affiliation with Teachers College, Columbia University, supports educational and scholarly initiatives that advance access, opportunity, and excellence in education. Through its support of Teachers College's Art & Art Education programs and resources, the Foundation contributes to projects that promote intellectual inquiry, artistic and educational scholarship, and greater inclusion within the field of education.

Gottesman Libraries (Sponsor)

Gottesman Libraries (Sponsor)

Gottesman Libraries, part of Teachers College, Columbia University, serves as a major academic resource for education, psychology, and related fields. The Libraries support teaching, research, and scholarship by providing access to extensive collections, archives, digital resources, and specialized materials that preserve and advance the history and study of education. WEBSITE: www.library.tc.columbia.edu