The Daso Art Collection Exhibition
Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History
July 1-August 31
706-724-3576
lucycraftlaneymuseum.com

AUGUSTA, GA - The work of self-taught artist John Daso, the first African-American artist to own a gallery in the historic French Quarter of Charleston, will be displayed locally.

Daso, an Augusta, Ga., native, has received numerous recognitions from South Carolina political figures such as Lieutenant Governor André Bauer, former Governor Jim Hodges and current mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr.

The artist graduated from Lucy Laney High School, where he began to develop his skills.
“Genevia Stalling was one of the people to encourage him to paint at a very early age,” said Christine Miller, executive director of the Lucy Laney Museum. A teacher at the time, she is currently working in the Richmond County school system.

Daso’s recent show in New York, “Daso in Manhattan 2009,” portrayed his childhood through art and the obstacles that he overcame as a young black artist with little support from his family or peers.

Daso is also committed to furthering the artistic gifts of young artists through the Gifted Artists of America Center, Inc., in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., which he founded.

The Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History will highlight his work July 12 in an opening reception, and it will remain on display through August 31.