We are very proud to announce that the incredible painting, “Breaking Glass Ceilings”, by our member artist, Jim McKeon, has been added to the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Many of Jim’s works have themes of diversity, racial equality, and positive energy. Jim’s painting, “Breaking Glass Ceilings”, is a dynamic portrait of the groundbreaking African-American dancer and choreographer, Camille A. Brown, who grew up in North Carolina. Brown earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the UNC School of the Arts, and she made her directorial debut on Broadway with a revival of “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf.” Brown was the first Black woman to not only direct but choreograph a Broadway show in nearly 70 years.
After Jim received the exciting news that “Breaking Glass Ceilings” had been selected to become part of the Met’s permanent collection, it took several days of careful building and planning to transport the painting to it’s new home in New York City. Jim designed and built a custom cage to hold the work on the back of his pickup truck, and drove the piece himself to make sure it arrived safely. Please use the link below to read more:
“Durham artist’s portrait now permanent feature at Met Opera in NYC“
Jim McKeon’s painting, “Breaking Glass Ceilings”, with the portrait’s subject, Camille A. Brown, at the Met