Memories & Inspiration

Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art
FEBRUARY 4 - APRIL 19, 2025
Lower Level Galleries

Comprising 67 spectacular works of art, Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art is the culmination of a 35-year journey into a realm that few have explore with such passion and dedication—the world of art and art collecting. Memories & Inspiration draws generously from the Davis Collection, a treasury of artworks located in a private home in Atlanta, Georgia, primarily by African American artists but also featuring some works from other parts of the African diaspora. This landmark collection was assembled by Kerry and Betty Davis, an ordinary working class couple who happily sacrificed material goods and comforts in order to surround themselves with the drawings, paintings, prints, and sculptures they loved. Guided by a passion for collecting and by their extensive knowledge of art—as well as a desire to preserve cultural memories and inspire their community—the Davises have built one of the richest private collections of African American art in the world. This traveling exhibition is their way of sharing some of its highlights with art lovers nationwide. Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art is organized and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC.