Local Black Artists Featured In Durham’s Visitor Info Center Windows Throughout February

DURHAM, NC – In celebration of Black History Month, the art of local Black artists will be featured in Durham’s Visitor Info Center throughout February. After putting out a call for participation, Discover Durham is excited to feature the work of five Black artists in the street-level windows of their Visitor Info Center (212 W. Main Street) this month.

The selected artists have diverse styles and mediums, and they are all passionate about exploring important issues. Each piece of artwork is available for sale, with proceeds directly benefiting the creatives.

The Visitor Info Center is a space committed to the celebration of Durham’s history and future where you can explore everything the Bull City has to offer. Because of COVID-19 concerns, the Visitor Center is closed to the public and not accessible to walk in, so the artwork is only available to purchase by contacting the artist.

Meet The Artists:

Bettie Day

Dates of exhibition at the Visitor Info Center: February 8-28

Bettie started art at the age of 10 and has been making art for 45-50 years. She finds art very therapeutic. “When I’m drawing, my mind is just focused on what I’m doing. I enjoy drawing famous people and painting landscapes. I let nothing hinder me from my passion,” she explains. The majority of Bettie’s artwork is pencil sketches. She does the shading by hand with her fingers. She has sketches of figures like former President Obama, Rosa Parks, and Vice President Kamala Harris. She says, “The oldest work hanging in my house is of Diana Ross (2005-06). Since being home during the pandemic, I have also discovered a love for painting — particularly landscapes. I enjoy the eye-catching colors of paint.” 

Wade Hampton Williams

Dates of exhibition at the Visitor Info Center: February 10-22

A Durham native, Wade Hampton Williams developed an interest in art at an early age exploring and expressing himself through drawing and painting. After graduating from St. Augustine’s University (Raleigh, NC) with a B.A. in Fine Arts, he attended the Art Students’ League of New York. There, Wade studied drawing, oil painting, and artistic anatomy. Williams has been a freelance artist since his return to Durham in 2006. Shortly after his return to his hometown, he was commissioned to paint a mural for Lincoln Community Health Center. He was also a contributing artist in the Durham Civil Rights History Mural Project. On January 20, 2021, Wade Hampton Williams completed a Ground Plane Mural (“Sunshine Over Africa”), at Durham’s Lakeview Park. 

Jermaine “JP” Powell

Dates of exhibition at the Visitor Info Center: February 22-28

Jermaine “JP” Powell is a North Carolina-based mixed-media artist and muralist. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, located in Brooklyn, New York. His paintings and public art projects explore the complexities of human relationships, materialism, and consumerism. As a world traveler, Powell’s travel experiences have inspired the use of various luxury objects used in his work. Both American and international currencies are often featured symbolically in his work. In his Modern Currency and Pure Luxury Collections (2018- 2020), Powell also uses bold, colorful textures, flowers, patterns, and mosaic tile. I am the co-creator of the Breathe: Life After Death group art exhibition featured at the Block Gallery in Raleigh, North Carolina. Powell’s artwork has also been featured in Cary Living Magazine, Duke University, Art Space Galleries, Raleigh Arts, The City of Durham, and the Durham Art Guild.

L Jamal Walton

Dates of exhibition at the Visitor Info Center: February 2-10

L Jamal Walton is a comic book illustrator and pop artist that has lived in Durham, NC since 1993. He makes comics both for himself as well as with and for other artists. As a web and graphic designer, illustrator, and artist, Walton has worked on all sizes of projects – from self-publishing his books to gray scaling a few issues of Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and working on three comics for Edgar Rice Burroughs. His creator-owned comic book projects include Captain Evil and Diabla; The Adventures of Ninjareen; Ungoodwise; and Warmageddon. (NOTE: Although Walton’s art is no longer on display, it is still for sale.)

How to purchase: visit www.discoverdurham.com/featured-artists