A Dream Come True

Benedict College presents a selection of works from the Anthony and Davida Artis Collection of African-American Fine Art

By Sarah Gianelli

January 20-February 27, 2026

Benedict College, Ponder Gallery
1600 Harden Street
t: 803.705.4764
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Anthony and Davida Artis have been collecting African American art since 2009. Their collection now exceeds 100 artworks by more than 70 artists, consisting primarily of prints, but also watercolors and drawings. Represented in their holdings are historic artists that include Elizabeth Cattlett (1915-2012), Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000), Hughie Lee-Smith (1915-1999), Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) and Benny Andrews (1930-2006); and prominent contemporary artists such as Faith Ringold and Kehinde Wiley, to name just a few.

John Woodrow Wilson (1922-2015), Father and Child, 1970, ed.1/100. Color lithograph, 19¾ x 14½ in. Courtesy the Anthony and Davida Artis Collection of African-American Fine Art.

“It’s imperative that we as African Americans act not only as good stewards over the creative excellence, genius and masterpieces from our own culture and people, but that we also control the narrative,” says Anthony Artis. “In today’s society, it’s hard to comprehend the attacks against African-American arts and culture, Black history, etc. The late artist, Jacob Lawrence, shares the struggles and successes of African-American heroes and heroines. His works highlight notable people who were instrumental not only in Black history, but also in American history…African American artists faced barriers, discrimination, disparate treatment, and prejudice and held protests in New York, so their artistry, experiences and stories could be shared in mainstream America. That’s why we feature artists…who opened great doors for African American art to be exhibited and respected along with [the] European greats.”

Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000), Carpenters, 1977, ed. 59/300. Color lithograph on wove paper, 18 x 22 in. Courtesy the Anthony and Davida Artis Collection of African-American Fine Art.

A long-held dream of the Artises to share their collection at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) around the country is now being realized at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where a selection of 40 works from the Artis Collection will be presented in the Henry Ponder Gallery from January 20 through February 27.

“A few years ago, God put it on my heart to share our collection at HBCUs around the country,” explains Anthony who, with his wife Davida, are pastors at Dedicated Believers Ministries in Flint, Michigan. “I never dreamed that Davida and I would be art collectors, art educators, art investors or even art patrons,” he says. “This inaugural exhibition is an answer to prayer!”

Romare Bearden (1911-1988), Mother and Child, 1972, ed. 107/200. Color screenprint, 19¾ x 16 in. and Davida Artis Collection of African-American Fine Art. Courtesy the Anthony and Davida Artis Collection of African-American Fine Art.

Each piece the Artises acquire must personally resonate with the couple and their family, and they have built their collection around themes of “faith, family and faces,” with a fourth category, “forms,” taking shape as the Artis’ add more abstract works to their collection.

The couple purchased their first Bearden Mother and Child print on eBay for under $30—the seller had cleaned out his grandfather’s closet and misread the signature. In 2013, the Artises put the piece up for auction where it achieved $3,000. They have since reacquired it and are grateful to have it, and a print by Lee-Smith, back in their collection. Lawrence’s Carpenters was purchased in honor of Davida’s late father, who “could fix and repair anything.”

Hughie Lee-Smith (1915-1999), The Promise, 1989, P/P. Color Lithograph 23½ x 17 in. Courtesy the Anthony and Davida Artis Collection of African-American Fine Art.

“In short, African-American art has really changed our lives,” Anthony shares. “I believe it has the ability to do the same for others. We hope visitors [to the exhibit] appreciate the African American artists and artworks, respectively. We hope they are educated, encouraged and engaged. Like sports, art brings people together. Our hope is that people will come together, learn from each other, and that they’re bitten by the art bug, especially HBCU students and the surrounding communities…We are open to exhibiting at more HBCUs, cultural institutions and museums around the country. We trust this will be the first of many.”

Artis will give a talk at an opening reception on February 12. Visit www.theartiscollection.com to learn more. —