2019 GRANTEES

ALMA|LEWIS

ALMA|LEWIS (A|L) is an experimental, contemporary art platform for critical thinking, dialogue and creative expression dedicated to Black culture. A|L centers the visual and literary arts, and provides access to a special Black archive of books, publications, and artifacts. A|L examines the intersection between art and equity in ways that provoke thought and discourse.

The vision of A|L is to be a home for Black art, artists, curators, art historians, and writers, and a catalyst for criticality and stewardship of art and Black culture.

Created by founder and executive director Kilolo Luckett, A|L seeks to build community by preserving and celebrating Black identity and aesthetics, and strives to be a cultural hub and resource for contemporary art.  A|L hosts exhibitions, residencies and studio visits, offers public programs, publishes literary material, and maintains a research archive.

By Any Means (BAM) is a signature program of A|L.  BAM is a contemporary art series that works to bring emerging and established Black art practitioners to Pittsburgh.  BAM examines the significant influence of Black culture in society, and aims to create a forum to share resources and knowledge, establish new connections within the larger arts network, and ensure that Pittsburgh’s cultural institutions, stakeholders and assets truly reflect the diversity of our city.

All images courtesy of ALMA|LEWIS

NAME BACKGROUND

ALMA|LEWIS is the convergence of the names of two influential Black abstract artists who were very active in the first half of the 20th century:  Alma Thomas and Norman Lewis.  

Alma Thomas and Norman Lewis are two of Kilolo Luckett’s favorite artists.  In 1972, Alma Thomas was the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.  Norman Lewis became the first Black artist to win the top prize at the Carnegie International in 1955.