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John Baker

American, born 1964

John Baker working on a portrait of Thurgood Marshall for The Freedom Wall. Photograph by Tom Loonan.

John Baker is a nationally recognized artist, curator, and educator from Buffalo. Baker is a natural storyteller and designs his images to elicit emotional responses and to inspire viewers to learn more about the subject matter at hand. As an artist, Baker has executed murals, participated in solo and group exhibitions locally and nationally, and has engaged diverse communities in a dedicated and lifelong effort to share the value of cultural production.

Baker is also a curator and educator. He has developed exhibitions with numerous institutions, and his curatorial practice is focused on providing unique visitor experiences, supporting dynamic outreach opportunities, and encouraging inquiry-based learning for all audiences. Baker is a longtime activist for artists in Western New York, often providing young artists with their inaugural opportunities for workshops and exhibitions. His tireless support of other artists' practices has led to his recent advancement as president of the Western New York Urban Arts Collective, a group assembled to provide mutual support for representation in the region, especially for underserved artists and artists of color.

Last updated 2019