Protégés: 20 Mentees

The Bearman Gallery, Fredrick Douglass-Isaac Myers Museum, Maryland

November / December 2024

Curated By Kibibi Ajanku

The Art of Poncho

An exhibition of 20 professional artists all mentored by renowned artist Larry Poncho Brown.

See the amazing artwork of artists  Laura Benson Tanya Bracey, Karen Buster, Maurice Moe Bradford, Odifiyo Evans, Ofori Kessie, Thomas E. Lockhart, III, Aaron Maybin, Linda Mose Meadows James Murphy, Jr., DionJa'Y, Tommy Roberts, Tiffani Sahara, Wendell Supreme Shannon , Dr. Yemonja Smalls, Marcel Stewart, Lloyd Gregory Wade, Randy Walters, Richard Wilson and Reigna Wren

What is a protégé? A protégé is a person who is being trained or guided by an experienced or successful person in a particular field, often referred to as a mentor. What is a mentee? A mentee is a person who is being mentored or guided by someone with more experience or knowledge in a particular area.

“Protégé: 20 Mentees” is an exhibition that takes an authentic and refreshing look at the magnificent work of twenty amazing professional artists through the lens of Mr. Brown’s leadership, pedagogy, tutelage, attention, and information sharing. The works are recent only because of limited exhibition space. However, the mentorship is deep, far-reaching, and everlasting. It speaks of connections that have true longevity. This is at the core of who he is. This is what he does. This is how he works. To that end, and for that reason, Mr. Brown is fondly called Poncho by the masses as he communicates with candid intensity. He is benevolent and kind, but his engagement requires a task-oriented, disciplined work ethic. For the exhibition entitled “Protégé: 20 Mentees” …

He chose his favorite… And… He chose his best.