BAIA Curates Black History Month Exhibit at Coca-Cola Headquarters

This February, in honor of Black History Month, Coca-Cola Corporation hosts a curated exhibit by Black Art In America (BAIA) Gallery. BAIA proudly presents Breaking Barriers: Past, Present, and Future. This powerful exhibition highlights the courage, creativity, and resilience of Black artists who have shattered obstacles, paving the way for future generations.

A Mother’s Love by Lamar Bailey

Barriers exist to create division—but through art, we reflect on the past, engage with the present, and inspire a vision for the future. The exhibition features an outstanding lineup of contemporary artists, including Najee Dorsey, Jamaal Barber, Traci Mims, Lamar Bailey, Jamele Wright Sr., David Wilson, Shanneil Clarke, Michael Bynum, Mel Edwards, Cedric Michael Cox, Theophilus Adewuyi, and Sophia Chioma.

A significant milestone of this year’s exhibition is Coca-Cola Corporation’s acquisition of two works by Lamar Bailey for its permanent collection—marking an ongoing commitment to supporting Black artists and amplifying their voices.

This marks the second consecutive year that Coca-Cola Corporation has partnered with Black Art In America Gallery to curate its Black History Month exhibition, reinforcing a shared mission to celebrate and preserve Black artistic excellence.

Join us as we honor the past, witness the present, and shape the future through the transformative power of art.

Black Art In America (BAIA) is a leading platform for Black visual culture, connecting artists, collectors, and institutions to foster greater appreciation and accessibility of African American art.

'Lamar Bailey is a husband, father, and proud Atlanta native who captures the vibrant lives and love stories of Black Atlanteans through his dynamic mixed media creations. His artistic style is characterized by loose brush strokes that convey a sense of movement and vitality. While primarily figurative, some of his subjects’ facial features are rendered abstractly, reflecting deep contemplation or emotional turmoil.

Utilizing acrylic paints, Lamar often transforms everyday materials like cardstock and cardboard boxes into unique surfaces, adding a tactile dimension to his work that sets it apart from traditional canvases. A former student of acclaimed Atlanta artists Kevin Cole and George Galbreath, he has honed a distinctive voice in the art community.

In early 2024, Lamar was featured in "NEXT," an exhibition alongside Christian Alexander, hosted by SOHE Solution at Hidden Gallery in Peter Street Station. His recent works were also showcased in the group exhibit Articulate Atl.'

Coca-Cola Corporation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, continuously supporting initiatives that highlight and uplift historically underrepresented voices.