Biography Of Emerson Bell

A native of Baton Rouge, Emerson Bell was a noted painter and sculptor -- and familiar figure about town. As a professional artist, he was recognized for his African-influenced wood sculpture, bronzes and paintings. He was also well-known in local jazz circles as a saxophone player and performed around the Baton Rouge area with many professional jazz artists.

Bell attended McKinley High School and the Central Area Vocational School in Baton Rouge. He also studied at the John Payne National College and the Charles Wilson Fine Arts Academy in Chicago. His works have appeared in numerous exhibitions in Louisiana and the south, and in 1974, he exhibited at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Throughout his life, Emerson, or “Emp” as he was known, was committed to arts education for young people. He was Artist in Residence at the Glen Oaks Community Center and the first artist-in-residence supported by the National Endowment for the Arts to teach in the East Baton Rouge Parish schools. He taught many art classes to young people throughout the community, and, later in life, mentored many aspiring young professional artists in Baton Rouge. Emerson Bell passed away on April 13, 2006 at the age of 74.

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EMERSON BELL

Visual Artist

1932-2006

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