You Don't Have To Die, a Retrospective of Work by John Edward Welch

(Newport News, Va.) - Self-taught sign painter-turned-folk artist John Edward Welch worked in obscurity until 2010 when his work was exhibited in the Ricco / Maresca Gallery in New York City. A critic wrote, “One of the most exciting new discoveries in the field of self-taught art, Welch’s vibrant work is sure to attract both admirers of contemporary folk art and aficionados of unexpected — and completely unwitting — forms of postmodernist, pop-cultural expression, wherever they may arise. A true original, Welch is considered an important new find by folk art aficionados.”

Welch's art combined his interest in African-American history with his skills as a sign painter, creating poster-like works that become biographic portraits of some of the most important and influential figures in politics, entertainment, sports and events in history. A longtime resident of Newport News, Welch died in 2011 at age 90.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. This exhibition is free and open to the public and will be on display through Dec. 12, 2012. For more information, visit cnu.edu/finearts/galleries.