Ayana Ross: Whence You Came

February 17 - June 2, 2024

The Reading Public Museum is pleased to present an engaging body of recent work by Atlanta-area contemporary figurative painter Ayana Ross (born 1977). Ross’s subjects are everyday figures, which are inspired by the events in her family’s own history in the American South. The artist captures poignant, sometimes nostalgic, moments that address broader issues of identity, race, family, and memory. Her large-scale compositions often include monumental figures and bold graphic fields of pattern and color. The exhibition at RPM will include more than a dozen of her recent canvases.

Ross was the recipient of the prestigious Bennett Prize (2021), which supports a stand-out contemporary female figurative painter. She earned a B.S. in Apparel Design and Merchandising from Georgia Southern University, an MA in Liberal Arts from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and an MFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design. In addition to a career in the fashion industry, Ross also taught art in public schools and the private sector. She has exhibited her work at the Muskegon Museum of Art, the Arnot Museum of Art, and the Bo Bartlett Center.

Upcoming Exhibit Related Events

Senior Series Gallery Talk: Friday, May 3 | 1pm
FREE for Members. FREE with paid Museum Admission for Non-Members.
To register, please email Wendy Koller wendy.koller@readingpublicmuseum.org.

Exhibit Reception: Friday, May 3 | 5:30-7:30pm
Join us for drinks, appetizers, and a meet-and-greet with artist Ayana Ross.
$10 for Members and $20 for Non-Members.
To register, please email Sydney Ernst sydney.ernst@readingpublicmuseum.org