Represent Exhibition: 6abc Loves the Arts

February is African American history month and a new exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art celebrates 200 years of African American art. Called Represent, the exhibition highlights pieces from the Museum's own collection and explores the way African American artists used their art to express personal, political and racial identity.

With more than 75 works by 50 artists, Represent takes audiences on a walk through the nation's racially charged history-from the Civil War to the Harlem Renaissance and beyond.

"This includes work by artists like Henry Tanner, Horace Pippen, Jacob Lawrence, Alma Thomas, Barbara Chase Riboud and artists who are still very active and, and known today," says organizing curator John Vick who says you'll see everything from rare fine and decorative arts created centuries ago by slaves to abstract paintings and sculptures, photographs, drawings, furniture, ceramics and textiles.

"There are a lot of artists who are from this area as well and that's something that we like to highlight within the exhibition itself."

Vick says the Museum started its African American collection with the purchase of Henry Tanner's Annunciation.

"It's the first work by an African American artist to be acquired by a major museum in this country. it was painted in 1898 and this museum acquired it the following year."

Since then, the Museum has invested in many more works by African American artists. A new catalog is designed to guide visitors through the vast collection.

"It includes four major essays about a variety of themes, including decorative arts, self-taught artists, modern art and contemporary art," says Vick who adds that, "to be able to look at them really closely and intimately is really a wonderful experience and that's what we're really here to do for our visitors."

Represent: 200 years of African American Art runs through April 5th. For tickets go to www.TheArtsinPhilly.org.