Clark Atlanta University graduate Amy Sherald became the first black artist to create an official, Smithsonian-commissioned portrait when she created one of former First Lady Michelle Obama.
That one, as well as one of former President Barack Obama, was unveiled Monday as part of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
The former president’s portrait was painted by Kehinde Wiley, an artist known for black art. After getting her undergrad in ATL, Sherald left for Baltimore, where she got her master’s degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
She’s been doing art for more than 10 years but just recently got critical acclaim. She won first place in the Portrait Gallery’s 2016 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.
The portraits were be available to be viewed by the public beginning next week.