The Inspirational Journey of Bernard W. Brooks and Gwendolyn Aqui Brooks

Bernard W. Brooks, a second-generation artist, draws inspiration from a rich family heritage steeped in creativity. His uncle, a trailblazing African-American art instructor at the Maryland Institute College of Art, set the stage for Bernard's artistic journey. Hailing from the vibrant city of Alexandria, VA, he channels his artistic vision through a diverse range of mediums – watercolors, mixed media, and ink sketching.

Bernard's collages are nothing short of an artistic gumbo, blending fabric, handmade papers, paint, metallic mediums, and various materials into captivating masterpieces. The remarkable quality of his watercolors has earned him recognition in the esteemed tome, "A History of African-American Artists 1792 to Present."

His artistic evolution took root during his time at the Philadelphia College of Art, University of Maryland, and Howard University. Howard, in particular, holds a special place in his heart, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and served as the chief medical illustrator for over 26 years. It's a familial connection too, as his partner, Gwendolyn's father, was a curator at Howard University for 33 years.

Gwendolyn herself shares the artistic lineage, growing up immersed in painting and music, with a particular affection for the piano. However, the tug of her artistic passions eventually led her to choose art as her path.

"I realized that both art and music demand substantial time and energy," she muses, reflecting on her decision. "I couldn't resist the allure of creating art."

Her pursuit of excellence led her to attain a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Howard University and a Master of Arts in Education/Counseling from Trinity College. She dedicated her career to nurturing young talents, serving as an art teacher in Washington D.C. and even venturing to share her expertise in Gambia, Africa.

The serendipity of life brought Gwen Aqui and Bernard Brooks together, both Howard University alumni with decades of friendship under their belts. Yet, it wasn't until their 60s that they embarked on their first romantic journey.

"I wasn't actively seeking a life partner at the time, so that was a delightful surprise," Gwen reminisces.

Both passionate artists, they now spend a substantial 40 hours a week in their shared home studio. Gwen dabbles in painting, quilting, and crafting dolls, while Bernard's artistry comes alive through painting and the tactile use of fabric to infuse texture into his creations.

Their creative synergy is so profound that even they themselves sometimes struggle to discern the hand behind each artwork.

"The paintings hang side by side, and it's a delightful puzzle for anyone to discern who crafted what," Bernard reveals.

Though Bernard is now in his 70s, his passion for art remains an unwavering constant in his life.

Excitingly, their latest art exhibition is set to take place at the Anacostia Art Gallery, a must-see event scheduled from September 15th to September 17th, 2023, starting at 12:00 PM each day. Save the date for Friday (9/15), Saturday (9/16), and Sunday (9/17) from 12 PM to 6 PM, located at the Anacostia Art Gallery on 119 Raleigh St SE WDC. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Bernard W. Brooks and Gwendolyn Aqui, two artists whose talents continue to shine brightly, even in their golden years.

Images: 

US Troops by Bernard Brooks - lakerlutznews                

Gwen-Aqui and Bernard Brooks - WAMU - photo: Courtney Collins

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