Arthello Beck facts for kids

Arthello Beck Jr. (born July 17, 1941 – died November 5, 2004) was an American artist. He was known for painting everyday scenes. He used different art materials like oils, watercolors, and charcoal.

Arthello Beck Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas. He went to Lincoln High School. This was the only place he received formal art training. After school, he worked for the United States Postal Service. He had other jobs too before becoming a full-time artist.

Beck is well-known for his art from the 1960s. These paintings often showed scenes from the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time when people worked for equal rights for all. He also painted about children, faith, and how people interact. He especially focused on the African-American community in the southern United States.

Beck lived in Oak Cliff for a long time. He strongly believed in grassroots movements. These are movements that start with regular people. He opened the Arthello Beck Gallery. This gallery became a very important art spot in Dallas in the 1970s and 80s. It helped many black artists start their careers.

Beck was part of several art groups. He was a member of the National Conference of Artists. He also belonged to the Southwest Alliance of African American Artists. He helped start the Southwest Black Artists Guild.

Honoring Arthello Beck's Art

Arthello Beck's paintings and sketches were chosen for a special art show. This show featured art from the collection of basketball player Grant Hill. Grant Hill collects art by African-American artists. He started collecting art because his father, Calvin Hill, did too.

Grant Hill especially liked Beck's painting called Confrontation (1969). He said this painting influenced him. Hill explained that his father felt a connection to it. The painting showed the struggles of black men in history. Grant Hill felt the same connection.

Recognizing His Legacy

In 2007, people in Dallas wanted to honor Arthello Beck. They started a campaign to rename the South Dallas Cultural Center after him. More than 850 local residents signed a petition. However, the City Council decided not to rename the entire center.

Instead, they chose to name an art gallery inside the center after him. This decision caused some debate. Some people felt that naming only a gallery was not a big enough honor. Others argued that the center's original name honored the South Dallas area. They also pointed out that many signers of the petition lived outside South Dallas.