Birthday Celebration for Tanner Mural by George Morton

Artist Henry Ossawa Tanner's 165th Birthday will be celebrated at a special design unveiling as part of the Tanner Mural project, which will be painted by acclaimed Atlanta-based artist George Morton. Morton will be painting a mural based on one of Tanner’s most famous paintings, The Thankful Poor, which depicts two African Americans praying at a table and is considered a milestone in African-American art, notably for its countering racial stereotypes by portraying African-American culture in a dignified manner. Tanner studied under Thomas Eakins at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and became the first African-American painter to gain international acclaim.  George Morton, who paints in the style of the Dutch Old Masters, has had an amazing journey full of challenges to become the amazing classical painter he is.  His inspiring story is told in an award-winning HBO documentary, "Master of Light."  Join us for food, fun, and a celebration of this master painter.