In celebration of Black History Month, the Rye Arts Center will open the the exhibit Alvin and Friends on Thursday, January 13th. The show will feature artist Alvin Clayton and highlight emerging Black artists from the region.
Clayton is a Trinidad-born artist, owner of Alvin and Friends restaurant in New Rochelle, model, and Renaissance man now represented by the world-renowned IMG Models. He is self-taught though heavily influenced by Matisse and the French Impressionist movement. His paintings express everyday life in bright bold colors. They are a reflection of his past and present experiences as a Caribbean/African American man.
His work has been featured at the Smithsonian Institute of African American Art and is found in the private collections of many celebrities and art collectors, including Ken and Kathy Chenault, Denzel Washington, Blair Underwood, Hill Harper, CCH Pounder, and Lorraine Toussaint.
“[This exhibit] spans all of my experiences: travelling, family, friends, models, my political views, and some of the issues that I’ve dealt with in the last few years. But it comes full circle. We know what the issues are, we know what the problems are, and the unity of bringing us together, which is what is our true humanity,” shares Clayton.
Curated by Kicki Storm, the Alvin and Friends show will also represent up-and-coming generations of Black artists in different mediums. These artists include Evan Bishop,
Dawn-Marie Blackwell, Anthony E. Boone, Brian Cannady, Kiarra Elliot (Afrocentric), Rich Kissi, Barry Mason, Courtney Minor, Danielle Scott, Toäg, Katori Walker and Xplorefreedom.
This exhibit is made possible by presenting sponsor Morgan Stanley with additional support from J. Oliver and Christina Maggard and by grants from ArtsWestchester with funds from Westchester County Government and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Alvin and Friends
- On View: January 13 – February 26, 2022
- Reception: Thursday, February 3, 2022 5:30pm – 7:30pm
- Artist Talk: Saturday, February 19, 2022 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Watch a video of Clayton discussing his art:
