Barbara Johnson Zuber
American, 1926 - 2019
Barbara Johnson Zuber, born in 1926 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, emerged as a trailblazing artist with a profound connection to her roots and a commitment to social change. Growing up in Harlem, New York, she developed a passion for art at an early age while attending the Little Red School House in New York City. Breaking barriers, she became the first woman to graduate from Yale University’s School of Fine Arts, making a significant mark on art history.
In 1970, after a brief stint in Croton, New York, Barbara, along with her husband Paul Zuber and children, established their home in Troy, New York. Paul Zuber went on to become the first tenured African-American professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, solidifying their impact on academia and paving the way for future generations.
Barbara Zuber's artistic journey is deeply intertwined with three pivotal life experiences. Her formative years in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance exposed her to a vibrant community of influential figures in arts, business, sports, and politics, shaping her artistic perspective. The early years of her marriage were marked by her husband's groundbreaking work as a civil rights attorney, influencing her art with powerful imagery from protests advocating for better education in segregated schools. Childhood trips to Mississippi, where her uncle was a prominent figure at Tougaloo College, added another layer of influence to her artistic expression.
Barbara Zuber's art has garnered recognition from notable entities, including Johnson Publishing Company, Hunt’s Manufacturing Company, and individual art collectors. Her accolades include winning first prize at the Ossining Women’s Club Annual Art Show and second prize at the Hunt’s Manufacturing Company competition. Her work has been displayed alongside renowned artists like Georgia O’Keefe and Fernando Gorassi in three-artist shows and featured in galleries nationwide.
Beyond her visual artistry, Barbara Zuber extended her creativity to writing and illustrating children's books, contributing to "Brown is a Beautiful Color." Notably, she was commissioned by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services in 1999 to design and create "The Adoption Album: Our Children, Our Families."
Participating in various exhibits, including "15 Afro-American Women" and "SANKOFA: Celebrating 25 Years of Black Dimensions in Art," Barbara Johnson Zuber's legacy is intertwined with her art's powerful narrative and her unwavering commitment to social and cultural contributions.
In 1970, after a brief stint in Croton, New York, Barbara, along with her husband Paul Zuber and children, established their home in Troy, New York. Paul Zuber went on to become the first tenured African-American professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, solidifying their impact on academia and paving the way for future generations.
Barbara Zuber's artistic journey is deeply intertwined with three pivotal life experiences. Her formative years in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance exposed her to a vibrant community of influential figures in arts, business, sports, and politics, shaping her artistic perspective. The early years of her marriage were marked by her husband's groundbreaking work as a civil rights attorney, influencing her art with powerful imagery from protests advocating for better education in segregated schools. Childhood trips to Mississippi, where her uncle was a prominent figure at Tougaloo College, added another layer of influence to her artistic expression.
Barbara Zuber's art has garnered recognition from notable entities, including Johnson Publishing Company, Hunt’s Manufacturing Company, and individual art collectors. Her accolades include winning first prize at the Ossining Women’s Club Annual Art Show and second prize at the Hunt’s Manufacturing Company competition. Her work has been displayed alongside renowned artists like Georgia O’Keefe and Fernando Gorassi in three-artist shows and featured in galleries nationwide.
Beyond her visual artistry, Barbara Zuber extended her creativity to writing and illustrating children's books, contributing to "Brown is a Beautiful Color." Notably, she was commissioned by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services in 1999 to design and create "The Adoption Album: Our Children, Our Families."
Participating in various exhibits, including "15 Afro-American Women" and "SANKOFA: Celebrating 25 Years of Black Dimensions in Art," Barbara Johnson Zuber's legacy is intertwined with her art's powerful narrative and her unwavering commitment to social and cultural contributions.
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