MSU Extension Michigan ArtShare

Over the last six decades, Walter Bailey's aRT progressed from classical 1960’s Afro-Centrism, born of the 20th Century.... to self-evolving Centennial aRTist of 21st Century advanced mediums. Today, his aRT reflect an evolving aRT vision into 22nd Century conceptual design. During 1960's, Walter states “I was of an aspiring land and seascape painter of Neo-Classical Realism.” He painted inspiring beauty of New England countrysides and shorelines in hometown Hartford, Connecticut. His evolution continued with works in Black and White (1968 to 73). During Experimental Era (1969 to 83), he explored non-traditional mediums in acrylic polymers panels. Acrylic Panel aRT influenced his direction over the next two decades. As a Black Ethnocentric Expressionist in late 60's to early 80's, Walter search and found his cultural identity. He discovered African Roots as an interest toward African and African American designs. Walter states, “I entered the 80's blending aRT and history studies into creating the 24ft Anthology of African and African American Graphic History Mural. The Anthology panorama was excellent tool teaching and learning Black History-at-a-Glance in the Detroit Public Schools.

After moving to Detroit, Michigan (1989) Walter worked with Detroit Schools ground-breaking African Heritage Cultural Center and Museum 1993 to 2010. His historical aRTworks including The expanding Whole Story Black History supplemental his lifelong historical graphic aRTworks won him the coveted Charles H. Wright Museum of African American Histories Legacy Award in 2009.

Simultaneously, Walter pioneered Reverse-aRT techniques for creating aRT on clear acrylic polymer panels. He called his conceptual medium aCRYLONIC aRTs. aCRYLONICs is still his Signature aRT for over forty years of creating. Today...he is focused on conceptual designs into 2 and 3 dimensional aRTworks including his aRT Ain't Flat No Mo Series and (3)-D Murals. Walters concludes, “After winning Bombay Sapphires Mid West regional aRTisan competition.. I continue to define and shape an advanced aRT vision. Centennial “Change” philosophy strengthens my creative thinking while defining new aRT... well into the next century and beyond”.

Contact: Walter A. Bailey... Planet aRT Studios – 313.434.1144 or walter.bailey@gmail.com