Phillips’ Mill Community Association in New Hope, Pennsylvania, has announced a new exhibition titled “The Selma Burke Invitational African American Art Show,” running from May 31 through June 29. The show pays homage to Selma Burke, a prominent 20th-century sculptor and art educator who lived in New Hope for the last 40 years of her life. It features over 60 works by African American artists Burke mentored, taught, or inspired, including James E. Duprée and Kimberly Camp, alongside historical pieces by artists such as Faith Ringgold, Romare Bearden, and Thornton Dial. The exhibition also includes works loaned from collectors like Lawrence Hilton.
This exhibition matters because it honors the legacy of Selma Burke, a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance whose contributions to American art and arts education—including founding the Selma Burke School of Art and the Bucks County Sculpture Show—have often been overlooked. By showcasing both contemporary and historical African American artists, the show addresses the ongoing underrepresentation of Black women artists in museum collections, as noted by participating artist Kimberly Camp. It also reinforces the role of local community arts organizations in preserving and celebrating marginalized art histories.