Booker T. Washington celebrates 50 years with alumni art show
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts marks its 50th anniversary as an arts magnet, a milestone that underscores five decades of intensive training in both performing and visual disciplines.
The celebration kicks off with Legacy in Motion: Alumni Arts Exhibition on September 3, gathering works from twenty‑four alumni whose practices span painting, sculpture, photography, dance, music and theatre. The show offers visitors a chance to encounter the breadth of contemporary creativity nurtured within the school’s walls.
Featured creators include Karen Eliza Aguilar, Tahnee Barbee, Chris Arnold, Alicia Chapman, Mark Crow, Jeremy Biggers, and Emmanuel Gillespie, among others, each bringing a distinct perspective that reflects both personal evolution and the school’s foundational influence.
As a 1995 graduate and current principal, Garry Williams notes that the exhibition 'celebrates not only where our alumni artists are today, but also the foundation that helped them imagine what was possible,' highlighting the institution’s role in challenging young artists, encouraging voice, and inspiring lasting impact.