Sunday, January 22, 2023
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
The founding faculty member of the Department of Afro-American and African Studies at UM, John Onye Lockard had a career that spanned more than a half-century of painting, teaching, mentoring, and exhibiting. On loan from the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County, the exhibit of John Onye Lockard’s work is on view in the Social Hall now through March.
Lockard was a powerful and inspiring artist, muralist, master painter, educator, historian, and storyteller. His works may be found in many collections all around the world, including murals and portraits at Wayne State University, University of Michigan, Central State University, and the Charles Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Lockard was professor emeritus at Washtenaw Community College where he taught life drawing and portraiture for more than 40 years. At the time of his death, he was completing a series of books for students, emerging artists, and art appreciators encompassing more than 50 years of insights into the arts.