July/August Exhibition: The Legacy of Charles White

Walk around the Main Library these days, and you’ll notice a scattering of commanding paintings, detailed drawings, and striking sculptures. Look a little closer and notice the impressive breadth of styles, mediums, and stories. These artworks come from the talented minds of 13 artists and are bound together as part of the lasting legacy of their former teacher, Charles White.

Charles White (1918-1979) was a prominent American painter, printmaker, and teacher known for chronicling African American-related subjects in paintings, drawings, lithographs, and murals. White’s work captivatingly portrayed the struggles of the African American experience and contested social issues head-on. Later in life, White moved to Altadena with his wife and children, where he remained until his death. Altadena is now home to the Charles White Park, the first park to be named after an African American artist. Today, White’s art is showcased in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and more.

Also a renowned teacher, White was a founding instructor in a youth program called Tutor/Art, established following the Watts Rebellion of 1965. Tutor/Art was founded by artist Bill Tara to create a bridge to formal fine arts education for minority high school students in Los Angeles. Students were handpicked for the program and were given the ability to explore, discover, and push their creative boundaries.

“Tutor/Art laid the foundation for everything that came after that. It gave me a glimpse into another world that I was kind of aware of, but all of a sudden it became much more concrete,” says former student Glen Iwasaki. 

White remained an influential figure in many of these artists’ lives. Some returned to visit him at his classes to catch up and show him their portfolios. Others remember his guidance each time they sit down to create.

“Anytime I do visual work, he is there,” says former student Dean Toji.

Many of White’s former students, now in their 70s, have remained in contact. This year, they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their transformative experience under White’s tutelage. 

The Students of Tutor/Art: The Legacy of Charles White Exhibition features works by James Borders, Faustino Caigoy, Anthony Cox, George Evans, Glen Iwasaki, Nancy Lee, Kay Lew, Leo Limon, Collie Lowe, Mark Mendez, David Monkawa, Kirk Silsbee, and Dean Toji.

There will be an Artist Reception/Art Talk on Saturday, August 3 from 11am-1pm in the Main Library Community Room.

 The exhibition will be on display at the Main Library until August 29, 2024.