Paul F. Keene Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Farwell Keene Jr.
photo of Keene at the Tyler School of Art in the 1940s. Photo by John W. Mosley
Born	(1920-08-24)August 24, 1920 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died	November 26, 2009(2009-11-26) (aged 89) Warrington, Pennsylvania
Education	Philadelphia Museum School of Art, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Académie Julian
Known for	painter, printmaker, educator
Spouse(s)	Laura Mitchell

Paul Farwell Keene Jr. (born August 24, 1920 – died November 26, 2009) was a talented artist and teacher from Philadelphia. He helped bring more attention to Black American artists. Keene called himself an "abstract realist." His life shows the successes and challenges faced by African American artists in the 1900s.

Early Life and Family

Paul F. Keene Jr. was born on August 24, 1920, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was Paul F. Keene Sr. His mother, Josephine Bond Hebron, helped start an important group called the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs.

In 1944, Keene married Laura Mitchell. She was the great-great-granddaughter of John Pierre Burr, who worked to end slavery. Paul and Laura lived in Warrington, Pennsylvania, with their son and daughter.

Keene was a dedicated student. He earned three college degrees. He was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

Becoming an Artist and Teacher

During World War II, Keene served in the military. He was a lieutenant with the famous Tuskegee Airmen. This was a group of African American military pilots.

After the war, Keene studied art at several schools. He attended the Philadelphia Museum School of Art and the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. He also studied in Paris, France, at the Académie Julian. He used the G.I. Bill to pay for his studies there.

While in Paris, Keene helped start Galerie Huit. This was a special art gallery for American artists. He even showed his art alongside famous artists like Picasso and Leger. This was at an art show called the Salon de Mai.

Teaching and Travel

From 1952 to 1954, Keene lived in Haiti. He studied and taught art there. He had a special fellowship from the John Hay Whitney Foundation.

In 1954, he returned to the United States. He taught art at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. He also taught at the Philadelphia College of Art until 1968.

From 1968 to 1985, Keene taught at Bucks County Community College. He helped create a new art department there.

Artworks and Recognition

In 1966, Keene painted a large mural. It is at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

In 1971, he created a special art piece for the Fifty Ninth Street Baptist Church in Philadelphia. It was a relief installation, which means it stood out from the wall.

Keene worked with the Brandywine Workshop for twenty years. In 1990, he received their Van Der Zee Award. This award honored his contributions to art.

Paul Keene Jr. passed away on November 26, 2009, in Warrington, Pennsylvania.

Where to See His Art

Paul Keene Jr.'s artworks are displayed in many museums. Here are some places where you can find his work:

• The Philadelphia Museum of Art
• The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
• The African American Museum in Philadelphia
• The Hampton University Museum in Virginia
• The James A. Michener Art Museum
• The British Museum in London
• The James E. Lewis Museum of Art at Morgan State University in Baltimore
• The Nigerian National Museum
• The Pennsylvania State Museum in Harrisburg
• The Dallas Museum of Art
• The Tucson Museum of Art

In 2015, Keene's art was part of an exhibition. It was called We Speak: Black Artists in Philadelphia, 1920s-1970s. This show was held at the Woodmere Art Museum.