After visiting Chattanooga and touring the exhibit of her friend and renowned quilter, Phyllis Stephens, displayed at the Chattanooga African American Museum, Garbo Hearne, owner of Hearne Fine Art located in Arkansas, felt that the museum would be a perfect place to unveil her exhibit entitled Collaborations: Two Decades of African American Art.

The exhibit catalogues twenty years of Garbo Hearne collaborating with artists from across the nation who displayed their African American art masterpieces at the Hearne Fine Art Gallery between 1988-2008. Fifty-two artists were selected to display their artwork within the exhibit. Some of the artists featured in the exhibit include Leroy Allen, George Hunt, Kenneth Humphrey, Elizabeth Catlett, and Lawrence Finney. Their styles range from watercolors and oil paintings to photography and sculptures.

“We are truly honored that Garbo Hearne selected the Chattanooga African American Museum as the first museum in the United States to host the traveling African American art exhibit entitled Collaborations,” said Rose Martin, Executive Director of the Chattanooga African American Museum. “It is our mission to expose and enrich the knowledge of the Chattanooga community to fine art and the history of cultures. We encourage families, schools, youth and church groups to tour this exhibit as it is not only educational but also quite captivating.”

Collaborations will be on exhibition at the Chattanooga African American Museum from August 21 through November 13. Once the exhibit leaves Chattanooga, it will travel to many other cities over the next year.

Visitors can tour Collaborations as well as other exhibits at the Chattanooga African American Museum Monday through Friday between 10 am and 5 pm or on Saturdays from Noon to 4 pm. General admission is $5, $3 for senior citizens and students and $2 for children ages 6-12. Members and children 5 and under are free. To learn about membership opportunities or to obtain additional information about this exhibit and others, call (423) 266-8658 or visit www.caamhistory.com.