Cheyney Grads by Cal Massey

Book Description: 600 Page Coffee Table Art Book

This book is a written account of what October Gallery (OG) means to us. We attempted to unfold the saga of how OG evolved over time. In addition we queried patrons and artists alike: “What is the value of African American art to you?” Their personal responses, interesting and insightful, are included throughout our story. Both our national and international patrons and artists have witnessed (first hand) the creation and development of the African American art industry, which prior to the 1970s was almost non-existent. This group of patrons and artists are part of what we call BlackStream Renaissance”. Most African American artists market and exhibit in the African American community. Successful African American art festivals and expos, where artists sell and exhibit, recognize the importance of marketing to this special community. It is in this community where the strength and the value of African American art begins. It is this community that has provided the foundation for Blackstream Renaissance. It is this community that has given us the content, the material, the stories for Connecting People with Art. This book recognizes the pioneers of Blackstream Renaissance.

Philly Art In Black & White by Mercer Redcross Hardcover Pages: 222 

Philly art in black, white and the gray tones that come in between is an effort to view art when artists remove color from their palette and focus on the power and strength of using just black and white. There are many reasons why an artist might just use black and white.

Enabling the artist and ultimately the viewer to focus their concentration and awareness on a specific subject, idea or method is one good reason. Another good reason we have found here at the Gallery is that black and white subject matters have always been well received and appreciated because of their climactic lighting, slight shadows, and areas of enormous contrast. A third reason might be to enable the viewer to appreciate the nuance of a piece of art and how an artist obtains shapes using tones rather than depending on colors.

The African-American visual artists featured in this book are by no means a complete list of Black artists or
Philadelphia based Black artists. There are countless Black artists and Philly artists who have made significant contributions to the arts.

This book highlights not all artists who have participated in our story, but specifically those whose art we published as black and white reproductions. Hence the title “Philly Art In Black and White”.