The artist Barbara Earl Thomas has made a promise: to keep the artistic legacy of her mentor Jacob Lawrence alive and growing.

Barbara met the Black modernist painter Jacob Lawrence as his student at the University of Washington in the 1970s. As her career and artistry developed, so did her friendship with Jacob and his wife Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence, who’ve now both died.

Last fall Barbara contributed four of her own portraits of Jacob to accompany his debut in the Netherlands–his first solo show in Europe. The exhibit, and being there at the opening, were part of her promise. Barbara enlisted the help of her friend, the arts journalist and cultural strategist Leilani Lewis–to go on the trip, and to be part of stewarding Jacob and Gwendolyn’s artistic legacies. In this episode of Meet Me Here, Leilani and Barbara are in conversation about their trip, friendship, and art.

Barbara Earl Thomas’ website

Leilani Lewis’ article: The Barbara Earl Thomas’s High-Frequency Art Method

Leilani Lewis’ article: As the US Slides Into Tyranny, Europe Champions Black American Artists

Jacob and Gwen Knight Lawrence Information Center  

MoMA profile of Jacob Lawrence 

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! 
Become a KUOW member today

The artist Barbara Earl Thomas has made a promise: to keep the artistic legacy of her mentor Jacob Lawrence alive and growing.
Barbara met the Black modernist painter Jacob Lawrence as his student at the University of Washington in the 1970s. As her career and artistry developed, so did her friendship with Jacob and his wife Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence, who&rsquo;ve now both died. Last fall Barbara contributed four of her own portraits of Jacob to accompany his debut in the Netherlands&ndash;his first solo show in Europe. The exhibit, and being there at the opening, were part of her promise. Barbara enlisted the help of her friend, the arts journalist and cultural strategist Leilani Lewis&ndash;to go on the trip, and to be part of stewarding Jacob and Gwendolyn&rsquo;s artistic legacies. In this episode of Meet Me Here, Leilani and Barbara are in conversation about their trip, friendship, and art.
<a href="https://barbaraearlthomas.com">Barbara Earl Thomas&rsquo; website</a>
Leilani Lewis&rsquo; article: <a href="https://publicdisplay.art/article/the-barbara-earl-thomas-s-high-f">The Barbara Earl Thomas&rsquo;s High-Frequency Art Method</a> Leilani Lewis&rsquo; article: <a href="https://hyperallergic.com/as-united-states-slide-into-tyranny-europe-champions-black-american-artists/">As the US Slides Into Tyranny, Europe Champions Black American Artists</a>
<a href="https://jacobandgwenlawrence.org">Jacob and Gwen Knight Lawrence Information Center</a> &nbsp;
<a href="https://www.moma.org/artists/3418-jacob-lawrence">MoMA profile of Jacob Lawrence</a>&nbsp; Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/meetnotes">Become a KUOW member today</a>

Meet Me Here is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. In each episode, we’re fighting the freeze and meeting you around the region for art shows, concerts, author talks, geeky get-togethers, and more. There’s a lot to do in this region, so let’s make some plans and go experience it together.

Meet Me Here&nbsp;is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. In each episode, we&rsquo;re fighting the freeze and meeting you around the region for art shows, concerts, author talks, geeky get-togethers, and more. There&rsquo;s a lot to do in this region, so let&rsquo;s make some plans and go experience it together.

Meet Me Here is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. 