The following description comes from the event organizer.

We are excited to re-launch Art and Conversation as a quarterly program, with the first talk of the series focusing on the Black Artists of Oregon exhibition, curated by Intisar Abioto. Join us for an opening social hour of coffee and snacks from 10:15-11:15, followed by a lecture with exhibiting artist Jerry Quenton from 11:15-12:15. This program is free and open to the general public and includes free access into the Museum following the program’s lecture.

Jerry Quenton’s work depicts his mixed heritage of African American and Native American. Raised by his grandfather in the housing projects of Pocatello, Idaho, the images reflect the challenges in this community close to nature and art. Quenton’s paintings are layers of personal stories with undertones of political issues, both past and present. Using large blocks of intense color as the underlying surface of the paintings, he is able to paint symbolic gestures and figurative forms on the canvas, allowing the bright color to bleed through. As he goes through maturation in his life, Quenton has become more interested in tribal systems and how they relate to contemporary life. He is also interested in the mystic symbolism of indigenous cultures. Each painting is a narrative relating to Quenton’s family history and the Native American and African American in our culture. Learn more about the artist’s work at jlquenton.com.