Royal Vanguard™ Artists of Distinction
BLACK ART IN AMERICA™ Presents: Royal Vanguard™ Artists of Distinction: The Black Art In America™ Royal Vanguard Artists of Distinction Program honors living artists whose careers and artworks meet the highest standard of excellence and blaze a trail for contemporary artists to follow. Louis Delsarte, Mason Archie and Gwendolyn Aqui-Brooks are three of our artists of distinction that we recognize during the 25th anniversary celebration of the National Black Arts Festival. Their works will be featured at the Black Art In America™ exhibit at the Southwest Art Center July 18-20th, 2013, 12-8pm, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA 30331
Louis Delsarte is a profound figurative expressionist from New York City. He received a B.FA. from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and an M.FA. from the University of Arizona. Delsarte has taught painting and drawing at numerous institutions for many years. Currently he teaches arts and humanities at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
Delsarte has executed several mural projects including Transitions for the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority and New Hope Visions at the Southwest Arts Center in Atlanta, GA. Delsarte's Selma to Montgomery was selected by the United States Postal Service in 2005 as the selvage in a series of stamp commemorating the civil rights movement. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Mural: Dreams, Visions and Change is a 129ft mural was installed in 2010 at the King National Historic Site on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, GA.
Delsarte's work is in several public collections including the Hammonds House Museum and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA , the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and the National Gallery of Art in Bermuda.
Mason Archie was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. His early art experience came while working as the Art Director and pictorial artist for Lamar Outdoor Advertising, which gave him the opportunity to develop his talent everyday for over fifteen years.
Mason is an award winning artist who strives to master his craft. A contemporary oil painter who paints in both traditional and realistic styles, while having the ability to attack all subject matter with the same panache. Formally trained, the art of Mason Archie has been exhibited in museums and exhibits throughout the country. Mason founded Kindred Spirits, A Gallery for Young Children (Indianapolis, Indiana) to use his gift and talent to instill unity through art among youth. Kindred Spirits offers free art classes to youth ages 5-18. They are taught various aspects of art. Archie's professional affiliations include: Oil Painters of America, Hoosier Salon, Patron Association and Fine Arts Gallery, Portrait Society of America, International Guild of Realism, African-American Visual Artist Guild, Dayton Visual Artist Center.
A native Washingtonian, Gwendolyn Aqui-Brooks has been working as an artist for well over thirty years. She is very passionate and determined to make a difference in the world of art. As a mixed media artist her accomplishments are notable. She is a painter, contemporary quiltmaker and doll designer.
During her artistic career Gwendolyn has been involved in more than eighty exhibitions, these include both solo and group shows. Her awards and grants include, but are not limited to the following: Maryland State arts Council's 2002 Individual Artist Award; National Association of Women Artists; National Museum of African Art (Washington, DC); Art in Embassies Program; The Arts Club of Washington, D.C.; The Pen and Palette and Pen Award from the Arts and Letters Commission Prince George’s County Alumnae Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Aqui-Brooks' Art Works has been featured on Washington, D.C. Television Channel 22's "Art Works"; Her Quilt, "Spirit Woman", was featured in the book, "Treads of Faith". She has also received a full fellowship to Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont, to matriculate in fine arts.
Gwendolyn received a BFA in Art Education from Howard University and a MA in Education/Counseling from Trinity College. She has been an arts educator both in the United States and Africa, owner/director of an art gallery, art therapist and a consultant. Over the years traveling has influenced her work, especially her trips to Africa, Trinidad, Tobago and Brazil. Her work may best be described as Afro-Caribbean.
