The portrait art collection of Karen Hernandez opened Friday at The Gallery at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave.
The exhibit will continue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The collection includes original pieces from different local, national and international artists that celebrate black history and the beloved community, Hernandez said.
The Gallery is located in the lower level of the Jewell Building at KCKCC.
Some of the artwork on exhibit in the Hernandez collection includes a Martin Luther King portrait by Alena Galayko; a Nelson Mandela portrait by Alena Galayko; a Mayo Angelou portrait by Alena Galayko; a Martin Luther King mural pencil sketch by Alexander Austin; a Buck O’Neil pencil sketch by Alexander Austin; a photo of the Peacemakers Mural by Alexander Austin; a Martin Luther King pencil portrait by Danny Hinds; a portrait of Archbishop Desmond Tutu by Randle Head; “Black Woman,” an oil painting by Louise Brown; and several other works, including some photos by Karen Hernandez.
Another art show, by Kansas City, Mo., artist and muralist Alexander Austin, will have an opening at The Gallery at KCKCC from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20.
The Austin art exhibit will be available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 23-27.
Austin is a self-taught artist who was born in Tallahassee, Fla., and moved to Kansas City, Mo., in 1990. He painted the largest mural in Kansas City history in 2007, which is at the southern façade of the Kansas City Power and Light District.
He has painted other well-known murals in the area, including for Google Fiber, McDonalds and the Kansas City Zoo. His work has been seen in many well known publications.
Austin received the 2012 Major League Baseball Hometown Heroes Artist of the Year Award. His 30-by-50-foot mural of John “Buck” O’Neil was used for the opening of the 2012 All-Star Game, was televised worldwide on Fox Sports Network, and nominated for an Emmy.
– Information from Karen Hernandez
