BHM Art Exhibit Features Works by Anthony Charles Edwards

January 29, 2020

Alexa Saavedra, Strategic Communications Coordinator

The Black History Month Art Exhibit will feature San Antonio native, Anthony Charles Edwards. Edwards is a 68-year-old self-taught artist who began painting in his early forties. The 1973 graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word (the Incarnate Word College) also holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

His painting style includes folk art and stain glass. Edwards uses acrylics as his primary art medium. His work is part of the Harriet and Harmon Kelley Collection of African American Art. Their art is considered one of America’s most notable collections of African American Art.  In 1995, one of Edwards’ artwork, Our Land, Our Home was included in an exhibition at the Smithsonian presented by the Kelley’s. Former Mayor, the Honorable Lila Cockrell, purchased one of Anthony’s paintings which now resides in the permanent exhibit at St. Philip’s College.

Edwards is a strong supporter of St. Philip’s College. He currently has on loan, works by acclaimed sculptor, Jonas Perkins on campus in the Sutton Learning Center. 

His work has been shown at the Stella Jones Gallery and the Galerie Royale in New Orleans, Louisiana and locally, at the Parchman-Stremmel Gallery. His work can be found at the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Fine Art Collection at the Freeman Coliseum. Periodically, he lends his collection of African American artifacts to the Witte Museum.

He retired as the Vice President of Community Programs from CPS Energy after a 26-year career. He is a former trustee of the Witte Museum and is an Honorary Trustee of the San Antonio Museum of Art.

The Black History Month art exhibit will open Thursday, February 6, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. in the Watson Fine Arts Center, Morgan Gallery (room 100).

For a complete schedule of Black History Month events, click here.