Louis J. Delsarte

HONOREE Louis J. Delsarte

by D. Jea Delsarte Brooklyn-born renowned artist, Louis Delsarte, referred to as The Spirit Conjurer transitioned on May 2, 2020 at the age of 75 in Atlanta, GA. Delsarte’s legacy of capturing life on canvas, paper, ceramic tile and more spanned six decades. While his life as an artist has been devoted to uplifting people from the African Diaspora, his theme of peace and love is universal. Delsarte’s work is in several public collections including the Harvard Art Museums in Boston, MA, the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Hammonds House Museum and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA.

Delsarte’s mural, Spirit of Harlem, created in 2005 is a landmark on 125th Street, across the street from the Apollo theatre in NYC. The mural, refurbished in 2018, sparked world-wide protests when it was rumored that the mural would be destroyed as a result of gentrification. Delsarte’s gentle spirit would not allow his mural to be controversial, so he worked successfully to make amends with the community and its corporate partners to return the mural, refurbished back to Harlem. In Atlanta, Delsarte created several murals including Dreams, Visions and Change, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial mural in 2010. The Dream Keeper, is a colorful mosaic bust of former President, Barack Obama. The sculpture created by Matthew Gonzales was part of a travelling exhibition, Visions of our 44th President, sponsored by the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit, MI.

Delsarte taught Fine Arts courses at numerous colleges and universities around the United States during his 50-year teaching career. In 1990, Delsarte relocated to Atlanta, GA at the invitation of Dr. Lee Ransaw, Chair of the Art department at Morris Brown College. Delsarte taught at Morris Brown College as a Tenured Professor of Fine Art for 12 years. Later, Delsarte was invited to teach at Morehouse College by photographer William Anderson, where he taught Art History and studio courses for 16 years. Delsarte cherished his colleagues in the Creative and Performing Arts department and often collaborated with filmmaker, Stephanie Dunn, and writer, Dr. Leah Creque.

Delsarte also collaborated with visual artists to enhance the students’ learning experiences. Richard Mayhew, Paul Houzell, Barbara Kendall Reed and Ashley Thomas are among the artists that he collaborated with. Delsarte’s undergraduate student interns included Abiose Spriggs and Miles Dixon. Delsarte’s optimism was evident through his philanthropic activism for students, artists and Art institutions. In 2008, Delsarte received the O.T. Hammonds Award for his support of

the visual arts, artists and education in the African-American community, and for improving the climate of the arts throughout the metropolitan Atlanta area.

As a teenager, Delsarte received an award for outstanding art from the Brooklyn Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where Jacob Lawrence and Hale Woodruff were the jurors. Delsarte also taught art classes in his father’s St. Johns Day Camp in Brooklyn, NY. Thus, his desire for supporting Youth in the Arts, through community engagement was cultivated at an early age. In 2016, Delsarte served as a juror for the Society Inc., Supporting the Arts, Greater Atlanta Chapter’s the Kevin Cole South Fulton High School Art Contest at the Southwest Arts Center in Atlanta, GA. Delsarte also served as juror for the 2019 Art of Soul Juried Art Contest for the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio. In February 2021, the museum honored Delsarte for his artistic contributions and his mentorship to emerging artists.

Renowned filmmaker Ava DuVernay, selected Delsarte, for her guest-edited “Optimist” 2019 edition of Time Magazine. His work and words were featured alongside Frank Bowling and Cicely Tyson. His service to others was genuine and he loved people. Louis Delsarte’s artistic genius is undeniable, his portfolio enviable, and his commitment to the people and the next generation of creatives, admirable. JARO Art celebrated Delsarte during his 75th Birthday in 2019 and thanked him for his invaluable contributions to the celebration of black life and culture.

Detail, Dreams, Visions, and Change, MLK Mural, 2009, Louis Delsarte © all rights reserved

Detail, Spirit of Harlem, Mural, 2005, Louis Delsarte

The Dream Keeper Mosaic bust, 2012, Louis Delsarte

To learn more about Louis Delsarte, visit www.louisdelsarte.net