Keith Conner

Keith was born and raised in Flint, Michigan where my dad “CL” & mom “Eleanor” taught him he could be whatever he wanted to be. Keith chose art over engineering for General Motors.  As a youngster, he attended the Flint Institute of Art.  In 1971 Keith was accepted into the Genesee Area Skill Center’s “Gifted Artist” program.  After graduating both high school & the Skill Center, he attended the American Academy of Art, Chicago and graduated in1976 with a degree in Design & Illustration.     
 
​Keith worked as a science illustrator for Denoyer-Gepprert Co. (Times Mirror) where he produced science charts & filmstrips for the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia. Also he free-lanced with World Book & Encyclopedia Britannica and worked on calendar projects for Miller Brewing Co. & Luster Products Inc. Keith created 28 Black History Illustrations that aired daily on WGN-TV  as public service announcements during Black History Month “Black History Notes” for several years and later 28 more “Black History Moments” Illustrations for Central City-Chicago Tribune Productions that aired each day on WGN channel 9 for years during February narrated by TV stars Ted Lange, Blair Underwood, Lou Rawls, Roxie Roker, Holly Robinson Peete, Montell Williams, Sheri Belafonte, Nichelle Nichols & many others. Currently featured illustrations for African American Expressions 2014 Calendar’s “Walking by Faith” & “Make Me Mold Me” also featured in 2015 "Sunday Morning" calendar and other publications.
 
His High Quality Fine Art Oil & Acrylic paintings have been exhibited in many Galleries and shows including Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry, Dusable Museum of African American history, Black Ensemble Theatre, Solo Show ETA Theater, Gallery D’Estee, Gallery Guichard, South Side Community Art Center, Murphy Hill Gallery, Chicago Cultural Center, Nicole Gallery, Tall Grass of Park Forest & Ohare Airport. Most recently The Essence Music Festival in New Orleans 2015. His paintings can found in collections across the country.
 
African American Arts Alliance of Chicago 2011 “Black Excellence”  
(Artist of the Year) Award for Visual Arts.
 
First Place Winner of Dusalble Museum’s 2011 “Back to Our Roots” 37th annual Arts Festival. 
 
First Place 2013 Best Window Exhibit at Urban Partners Bank selected By
​The South Shore Chamber Of Commerce.
 
2014 Vision Gallery of Christ Universal Temple: Curator

​“I started Painting for my own personal enjoyment and to make a positive contribution to African Americans and to society as a whole by creating art that is inspirational & sensational.  My art is designed to make you feel a sense of pride as it has historical and or cultural significance. I like to create art of people and images to inspire individuals that they can overcome obstacles to became successful against the odds."
 
“I love art and have been an artist my whole life. I believe art has given culture to the world. I take great pride in being included in the process of telling humanities story and progress in a positive way using color & imagination.”