American, 1930 - 2006
Benny Andrews (American, born November 13, 1930–died November 10, 2006) was a notable African American painter born to sharecroppers in Plainview, GA. His artistic talent was nurtured early on by his parents, who taught him the importance of creativity and education. Despite a rough time in early education, Andrews graduated high school in 1948. He attended two years of Fort Valley State College, before enlisting in the US Air Force, where he served from 1950 to 1954. With his military earnings, Andrews was able to attend the Art Institute of Chicago. With no formal training, he began to develop his Figurative style by observing those around him.
