Frank Morrison, an Atlanta-based contemporary painter and award-winning illustrator, will give a public talk at 12:15 p.m. Friday, March 6, in the Rigas Family Theater of the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University. The event is free and open to the public.

Morrison’s talk will draw from his personal and professional journey through multiple artistic disciplines, connecting his experiences as a fine artist, illustrator and cultural storyteller to the importance of creativity, imagination and visual literacy. His presentation is expected to resonate particularly with emerging artists and practicing art educators, emphasizing the role of art as a tool for inspiration, education and cultural engagement.

Morrison uses expressive brushwork and, at times, spray paint to amplify Black voices that are too often overlooked amid the noise of modern life.

His dynamic visual language blends the elegance of Neo-Mannerism with the raw edge of street art, pushing the boundaries between figuration and abstraction. Through this fusion, he celebrates the rich history, creativity and resilience of the Black community.

Imagination has always been central to Morrison’s identity. Raised on a military base, he learned to invent new worlds and tell stories through drawing. A move to New Jersey later exposed him to the realities of racism, and art became his refuge, a way to reshape his world and insert himself into a visual culture that rarely represented Black lives.

The hip-hop movement of the 1980s profoundly shaped his artistic evolution. Graffiti and breakdancing became early modes of expression, and a high school tour with recording artist Sybil introduced him to the broader world of art and performance. During that tour, a visit to the Louvre — encouraged by his high school art teacher — left a lasting impression as Morrison was captivated by the technical mastery and storytelling power of the great European painters.

Determined to merge those classical traditions with his lived experience, Morrison began teaching himself the techniques of the Old Masters while drawing inspiration from African American pioneers like the Neo-Mannerists, the Ashcan School, and the Mexican Muralists. These influences, filtered through the lens of Black culture, became the foundation of his fluid, distinctive style.

In addition to his career as a fine artist, Morrison is an award-winning children’s book illustrator, recognized for balancing whimsy with emotional depth. His honors include the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, the NAACP Image Award and the John Steptoe Award. His work has been exhibited at venues such as Expo Chicago and Scope Miami and with notable galleries including Richard Beavers Gallery and Savacou Gallery.

Morrison’s work stands as both a visual archive and an act of cultural affirmation. Each piece tells a story rooted in memory, shaped by music and motion, and grounded in the everyday brilliance of Black life in America.

Morrison’s public talk is presented in conjunction with a professional development conference hosted by the Quick Center for K-12 art teachers. Educators seeking additional information about the conference may call the Quick Center at 716-375-2494. 

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).