Renowned Painter Tarleton Blackwell Holds Exhibition at UNCA

Tarleton Blackwell

An exhibition by noted African American painter Tarleton Blackwell will be on view through February 27 at UNC Asheville's Blowers Gallery. The exhibition, "Art of Tarleton Blackwell," is a 13-piece installation. A closing reception will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in the gallery. During the reception, Blackwell will also give a gallery talk at 6:30 p.m. The exhibition is held in conjunction with UNCA's Black History Month celebration.

Blackwell, a South Carolina native, is the Martha Beach Endowed Chair in Painting at the University of North Carolina Pembroke, where he serves as visiting professor and artist-in-residence. His work has been displayed in over 170 gallery exhibitions, including the Charlotte Mint Museum, the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, S.C., and the Alternative Museum in New York.

Tom Holman, Albany Museum of Art executive director, recently said that Blackwell was "one of the up and coming painters in the Southeast."

Blackwell was the recipient of the South Carolina Arts Commission's 1996-97 Individual Artist Fellowship Award and received the Southern Arts Federation/National Endowment for the Arts Regional Fellowship in Painting in 1994. He has also earned the title of "Outstanding Professional South Carolinian in the Field of Art."

Blowers Gallery, located on the main floor of UNCA's Ramsey Library, is open during regular library hours. For hours of operation, call UNCA's Ramsey Library at 828/251-6546.

Media Contacts:

• Nancy Hayes, UNCA Blowers Gallery Coordinator, 828/251-6436
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526