Exhibit Hours Tues Thru Friday 11AM - 3PM

700 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Shawn Etheridge

/
/
/
Shawn Etheridge

Shawn Etheridge

/
/
/
Shawn Etheridge
Shawn Etheridge

Exhibitions

Open From device

QR Code Shawn Etheridge

Biography

A native of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Shawn has been creating art since childhood. Starting with markers and colored pencil, he was introduced to painting with acrylics by his 8th grade art teacher. Later, he was exposed to graffiti arts by a childhood friend, which had a profound impact on his style by fostering a love of bold color and a preference of markers over brushes. A graduate of North Carolina Central University, he majored in Public Administration while minoring in Visual Arts.

His work has been displayed in numerous establishments spanning the east coast with his bade being in the Raleigh-Durham Area, including the Hayti Heritage Center and Durham Arts Council in Durham, N.C., The Garner Performing Arts Center in Garner, N.C., The Mint Museum in Charlotte, N.C., and The William R. Harvey Art Museum in Talledega, A.L. He has works in the permanent collections of Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., Shaw University and Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, N.C.. Prominent owners of his work include public figures Erykah Badu and Dr. Cornel West.

 

Shawn is a member of the seminal, Charlotte, N.C. based artist collective, The Palete Table and is represented by Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery.

Statement

My "historic heroic" paintings were inspired by my experiences as an American Black Male educated at North Carolina Central University, an HBCU. The education I received was personally historically transformational. It was there, I became determines to grow forward as a part of this historic legacy of educating, mentoring and servicing the community. In my current work I'm shining light on the Historically Black College and Universities located throughout the United States. As a proud graduate of NCCU, I'm attempting to fulfill the promise that I made.

As a freshman, I promised that I would grow into someone of substance and when able, I would give back. I'm giving back to my alma mater and all of our beloved HBCU's, through the creation of heroic historic paintings and celebrating these monuments of arts and education. I began this as a simple nod to my alma mater and a celebration of a great man that presided over a great institution.

That one painting gave birth to the idea of a series that spoke to all 11 North Carolina HBCU's. Over the span of 5 years, I researched the schools, numerous alumni and administrators. On a few occasions I received the assistance from the school in question by way of their providing suggestions of potential featured individuals and supporting source photographs, but mostly I operated independently and financed this endeavor myself through sales of my other work, print sales to supporters, or gifts of supples from supporters. I received no organizational grants or funds from any sources in the creation of this phase of the project.

Recently, I have begun to expand into highlighting HBCUs across the nation, whether by paintings I create or inspiring others to join me in the task. I also have just been awarded my first professional artist grant, which I am using towards the creation of the Virginia HBCU series, and I am in the planning phase with Delaware State University.

AboutNine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery
Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery is a private venue providing affordable workspace, support and representation for emerging fine artists. We focus on the visual arts and are known mainly for our exhibitions featuring fine artists of color. However, we offer a nurturing, inclusive, accessible platform focused on equal opportunities for and representation of all creatives.
ForDonations
GalleryHours
Gallery hours:
Tuesday – Friday, 11:00-3:00
Saturday & Sunday by appointment.
Monday – Closed