Art of "Bing" Davis '59 On Display at US Embassy in Accra

May 20, 2004

May 20, 2004, Greencastle, Ind. - Willis "Bing" Davis -- a Dayton, Ohio-based artist, retired chair of the art department at Ohio's Central State University, and a 1959 graduate of DePauw University -- is one of 13 American artists whose work has been selected by the U.S. Department of State for display in the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana. Davis' mixed-media found object piece from his urban mask series, "Community Revitalization Mask #10", will be on view through 2005. The exhibit is part of the "USA Art in Embassies" program. In its 40th year, the program places art by American artists in U.S. Embassies around the world.

Bing Davis and the other artists were recognized at two events in Washington, D.C., this week -- one, a reception hosted by First Lady at the White House, and another, a celebration at the State Department, hosted by Secretary of State Colin Powell. It marked Davis' third White House invitation. In 1980, he was one of ten African-American visual artists invited to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by President Carter. Two decades later, Davis was invited by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to view a Christmas ornament that he and other artists created for the millennium Christmas tree. (photo shows Davis and his wife Audrey with Mrs. Bush)

Learn more about the Art in Embassies program by clicking here.

Visit the Web page dedicated to Bing Davis' contribution, and see "Community Revitalization Mask #10", here. View all of the art on display at the Accra Embassy here.

Back