Charles White, Love Letter III, 1977

Charles White, Love Letter III, 1977, The Art Institute of Chicago, Margaret Fisher Fund, 2017.291, © The Charles White Archives, photo © The Art Institute of Chicago

Ways to Engage with Charles White at LACMA—May/June Edition

May 4, 2019
Ashley Harris, Marketing Manager

This spring, LACMA presents the West Coast premiere of Charles White: A Retrospective (through June 9, 2019), the first major exhibition of the artist Charles White (1918–1979) in over 30 years. A concurrent and complementary exhibition, Life Model: Charles White and His Students (through September 15, 2019) is on view at LACMA’s satellite gallery at Charles White Elementary School, formerly Otis Art Institute.

Entering the final weeks of Charles White: A Retrospective, we’ll end things on a high note with a bevy of events and a free concert in partnership with Metro. On Friday, May 24, Metro Art Presents Jazz at LACMA, featuring Otmaro Ruiz from 6 to 8 pm, part of a special partnership with LACMA (stay tuned next month as LACMA presents jazz at Union Station).

Related May/June Programming at Charles White Elementary School, 2401 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles

Participate in an art-making workshop for all ages, led by local artists and art educators on Saturday, May 4, 2:30 to 4 pm. Free and open to the public. See full schedule.

Saturday, May 18, at 2 pm, join Judithe Hernández, for a walkthrough of Life Model: Charles White and His Students to learn about White's influence on her work, their shared commitment to social-political commentary, and his legacy to American art. This event is free and open to the public.;

Related May/June Programming at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles

Join us this Saturday, May 4, for a special performance featuring Obie Award-winning collaborators Roger Guenveur Smith and Marc Anthony Thompson. “Portrait of Charles White” navigates White’s career as an artist, educator, and political activist, as well as his compelling personal profile, to devise an intimate meditation on a man of immense complexity and enduring influence. From 7:30 to 8:30 pm in the Bing Theater. Free, tickets required.

Sunday, May 5, attend an artist-led walkthrough of Charles White: A Retrospective with Ulysses Jenkins and Gary Lloyd. Both artists were students of White’s at Otis. From 10 to 11 am—free, tickets required.

Later this month, screen a rare, pristine print of the 1958 film, Anna Lucasta. Starring such luminaries as Eartha Kitt and Sammy Davis, Jr., it is based on Philip Yordan’s 1936 stage play. The film features the artwork of Charles White, who was hired to create a triptych of the film’s principals which appears during the film’s closing credits. On Sunday, May 19, at 1 pm in the Bing Theater. Free, tickets required.

Before the exhibition closes, experience one of our art classes. Enjoy the best things in life—art, wine, creativity, and friendship—in this lively, artist-led workshop. View portraits in the current exhibition Charles White: A Retrospective, then create your own portrait using acrylic paints on a stretched canvas. On Friday, June 7, from 6 to 9 pm.

Don’t miss your chance to visit Charles White: A Retrospective before it closes on Sunday, June 9. Plan your visit today!