Pigmented: Chicago to the World A Black Fine Art Convening

A Black Fine Art Convening

Pigmented: Chicago to the World is a national convening that celebrates Chicago's unparalleled influence on Black visual art, design, sculpture, architecture, fabrication, scholarship, and cultural leadership. Presented during Black Fine Art Month, the convening will bring together artists, museum leaders, scholars, collectors, foundations, educators, civic leaders, and corporate partners to examine how Chicago has shaped, and continues to shape, the global narrative of Black art.

The convening comes at a defining cultural moment. The opening of the Obama Presidential Center has focused international attention on Chicago's artistic legacy, featuring work by internationally recognized artists while also showcasing seven Chicago artists whose practices embody the city's long tradition of innovation, social engagement, and public art. Simultaneously, the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, creating an opportunity to broaden the American story by recognizing the enduring contributions of Black artists whose work has helped define democracy, identity, and cultural memory.

Pigment International proposes to establish this convening as an annual national forum that explores Chicago's role as an incubator for artistic movements, including the Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC), AfriCOBRA, the Wall of Respect, the legacy of Dr. Margaret Burroughs, Richard Hunt, and generations of artists whose influence extends far beyond the city limits.