Programs, Touring Exhibitions, and Publications

Louise Minks was first trained as a historian. Now that she is a professional artist, she enjoys linking history and art in her paintings, writing and also in special programs for the public.

Educational Touring Art Exhibitions

Upon Reflection: African American Portraits

This collection of ten near-life size paintings of African Americans was created by Louise Minks at Memorial Hall Museum, Deerfield, MA, while artist-in-residence in 1994. There are five figures from the past: Lucy Terry Prince, 1740s; Sojourner Truth, 1840s; Frederick Douglass, 1840s; Ida B. Wells, 1870s; Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, 1960s. and five local men and women from the present with valuable stories to share.

The First American Revolution: The Pueblo Revolt of 1680

As artist-in-residence for two months in 1997 at the Wurlitzer Foundation in Taos, New Mexico, Louise Minks created ten large paintings interpreting the only successful Native American resistance to the European invasion and control of North American territory. The paintings are modeled on the historic hide paintings typical of the 16th century in New Mexico.

African Album

A series of paintings of people and animals of Kenya, it was developed after travel to that country in 1990, including the handmade book, African Album.

Rainforest

This series of paintings highlights tropical rainforest plant life, based on travel in Costa Rica and Guatemala in 1995.

Harpers Ferry, the Civil War and the Massachusetts Connection

As artist-in-residence for a month in 2002 at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Louise Minks developed a series of paintings and silkscreen art works about the African American history of Harpers Ferry and links with Massachusetts locations like Springfield and figures including John Brown and Frederick Douglass.