Portfolio Gallery and Education Center opened its latest “All Colors” exhibition with a reminder that art is more than what hangs on a wall — it is a network of stories, histories and connections that shape how Black creativity is seen and valued. The visual art showcase, featuring invited artists from across the country, is on display at the St. Louis Artist Guild through February 14.
The exhibit reflects Portfolio’s mission to educate and enrich lives through art, said Founder and Executive Director Robert Allen Powell at last week’s opening reception. Now in its 37th year, Portfolio Gallery remains dedicated to cultivating awareness of the creativity that lies within Black culture.
“Our mission is to foster a greater awareness of art that is created by African American artists,” Powell said. “When people say ‘I like art,’ I say name me your five nationally known African American visual artists, living or dead — and they can’t do it.”
“We accomplish our mission through classroom instruction, workshops, seminars and field trips to teach and identify artists from around the country,” he added.
With the “All Colors” exhibit, Powell brings local and national artists into one room to share their stories of Black history and cultural identity through artistic expression — including a sculpture by Powell himself titled “Ancestral Alien Immigrant,” made of Douglas-fir and walnut wood.
The medium-brown sculpture depicts a human figure with three eyes and an abundant headdress. Its title points to the cryptic history of Blackness and the ongoing quest for accuracy in a narrative long whitewashed. A similar sense of reclamation appears in William N. Murphy’s “Black Pieta,” also carved in wood and positioned across from Powell’s piece.
“Black Pieta,” a framed three-dimensional still life, depicts Mary holding Jesus on her lap after the crucifixion. Portions of the wood are stained darker to represent skin, while other areas — including Mary’s robes — remain light, emphasizing delicacy.
One striking feature is the hair chosen for Jesus: strands of thick rope resembling locs. The choice reflects a biblically accurate description of his hair as wool-like — a representation often contested but here displayed proudly and without inhibition.
Glimpses of the past also appear in “Living Water” by William Burton Jr., created using photography and acrylic. The piece shows a young boy with wings drinking from an old water fountain, rendered in a brassy tone that makes the scene appear aged.
A simple act like drinking from a water fountain may seem innocent, but for Black Americans it symbolizes defiance and resistance to systems built on ideals of inferiority. Generations after those systems were outlawed, the fight to build a viable network continues.
“We don’t have the network to grow — that’s what Black culture needs,” Powell said. “We all have to go to the art museum for the big show, and I’d love to bring King Tut here,” he laughed. “But you have to be in that arena, have all the connections and the funding.”
Though support for Black art and artists remains limited, some have managed to build connections and thrive through Portfolio. One of them is Darnell Malone, who in addition to showing at “All Colors” this year has participated in 49 exhibits, producing and selling art since 1999.
“I had one of my pieces bought by the Urban League in 2007,” he said, “and another piece by S.I.U.E. in 2011.” Malone has two vibrant abstract paintings on display in the exhibit, both reflecting his approach to expression and color theory.
For artists seeking education and opportunity, Portfolio’s website at portfoliogallerystl.org offers a range of courses. Portfolio Gallery and Education Center’s 2026 “All Colors” exhibition will be on display through February 14 at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, 12 Jackson Ave, Clayton MO 63105.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
