CHARLES WHITE ACROSS MEDIA | A VISUAL ARCHIVE
The extraordinary artistic legacy of Charles White (1918–1979), one of America's most influential Black artists, takes center stage this fall at the University of Chicago's Logan Center for the Arts.
Charles White Across Media: A Visual Archive, opening November 6, explores how White's powerful depictions of African American life extended beyond galleries and museums into popular culture, influencing generations through album covers, books, magazines, film, photography, and printmaking. The exhibition is a special initiative of the Charles White Archives presented by the Logan Center Exhibitions and the South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) and is curated by Ian White, the artist's son and chief executive of the archives.
Born and raised in Chicago, White believed deeply in art's responsibility to advance social change. His commitment to portraying Black humanity with dignity and beauty helped establish a visual language that challenged stereotypes and celebrated African American history.
White's Chicago roots are particularly significant. His work was featured at the historic 1940 American Negro Exposition, and his artistic journey would eventually take him to New York and Los Angeles, where he became an influential educator, whose students included Kerry James Marshall and David Hammons.
The exhibition also highlights White's remarkable collaborations with musicians, writers, and filmmakers, including Harry Belafonte, demonstrating how Black artistic expression transcends disciplines and reaches audiences far beyond traditional cultural institutions.
The opening weekend offers opportunities to engage directly with Ian White through a curator-led tour, musical conversation, and family programming.
For Pigment International, this exhibition reinforces the importance of preserving, documenting, and sharing the contributions of Black artists—a commitment central to our mission and the continuing celebration of Black Fine Art Month.
Schedule of Activities
Friday, November 6, 2026
6:00–8:00 PM | Opening Reception
Celebrate the exhibition's opening at the Logan Center Gallery.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
10:00 AM | Curator-Led Tour with Ian White
An intimate exploration of the exhibition with Charles White's son, offering personal insights into his father's artistic legacy. Free; registration required.
1:00–2:00 PM | Drawing Sound: Charles White, Craig Taborn, and the Black Arts Tradition
Pianist and composer Craig Taborn joins Ian White for a conversation and live musical demonstration exploring the connections between visual art, music, Black cultural history, and collective memory.
Location: Screening Room 201, Second Floor. Free; registration required.
3:00 PM | Family Saturday: Grandpa and the Library
Ian White reads from his illustrated children's book, Grandpa and the Library: How Charles White Learned to Paint, introducing young audiences to the childhood experiences that inspired his father's artistic journey.
Location: Logan Center Gallery.
Exhibition Information
Dates: November 6, 2026 – January 31, 2027
Location: Logan Center Gallery, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago
Address: 915 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Presented by: Charles White Archives, Logan Center Exhibitions, and South Side Community Art Center.
Additional information and registration: Logan Center Exhibitions
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