ERNIE BARNES

July 15, 1938 – April 27, 2009

A leading 20th century artist well-known for his unique style of movement, Ernie Barnes is the first American professional athlete to become a noted painter. His works are shown, collected and respected internationally. In pop culture Barnes’ artwork appears on music album covers, television and movies, especially his iconic dance hall scene, The Sugar Shack.

“The experience that placed this image in my mind occurred when I was around 13 or 14. I snuck into a rhythm and blues concert (at the Durham Armory in North Carolina) and saw people moving on the dance floor with raw passion. In later years, when I

During his grade school years, Ernie Barnes watched graduates of Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina wear their cap and gown on commencement day. People on their front porch stood and applauded as the graduate walked through the neighborho

Growing up in North Carolina, Ernie Barnes loved the energy of Southern marching bands, especially their strong, determined, graceful, confident, focused, powerful, athletic and disciplined leaders. The drum major’s sole mission is to stir the souls

Moved by music that he hears, a young man dreams of his future.

On December 27, 1959, shortly after 21-year-old Ernie Barnes was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, he attended their NFL Championship Game vs. the New York Giants. The Colts won, and Barnes was filled with emotion after watching the game from behind th

The lighthearted activities of girls at play. A simple game, but so much fun when joined with friends.

A heavy downpour of rain once shut down Atlanta while Ernie Barnes was visiting. He said the male DJ on the radio “was talking too fast and insensitive for the situation. A woman’s voice would be more in keeping with a rainy Saturday night.” Months l

“Anyone in my hometown of Durham, North Carolina will tell you that the intersection of Roxboro and Pettigrew is where the hillside high school marching band started to turn the corner and ‘get down’ because they were leaving the then-segregated down