Emmanuel Gillespie, a distinguished visual artist with experience spanning painting and sculpture was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. With a rich educational background in scholarship and a profound focus on the Black experience in history, Gillespie’s work transcends mere artistic expression. With a deep-seated commitment to scholarship, Emmanuel Gillespie possesses an extensive educational background that underpins his creative career, infusing his work with an unparalleled depth of insight and resonance. Through a fusion of traditional and innovative techniques, his past Migration and Temporary Freedom series illuminate the often-untold stories, struggles, and triumphs of Black individuals, challenging perceptions and fostering understanding. Gillespie’s newly created Joy series expands upon his interests in humanity and existence.
Gillespie received his BFA from the University of North Texas and later earned his Master of Art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Currently a professor of art in Dallas, and working through 2D and 3D forms, Gillespie has completed several public art projects in Dallas. Some most notable works include site-specific sculptures for the Bexar Street Corridor, the design for the DART bus station for the DART Green Line project, statue commissions of Ernie Banks for the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and two 8ft. bronze statues for the Cedar Crest Golf course in Southern Dallas of Walter Hagen and Dr. Charles Sifford. Gillespie utilizes his artistic practice as a conduit for community engagement. Emmanuel Gillespie’s artwork invites viewers to engage, reflect, and connect with history on a profound level while cultivating conversations. Gillespie’s passion for his artistry has ingeniously woven a vivid textile that brings to life the profound narratives of the past.
Emmanuel Gillespie
4755 Algiers suite 100
Dallas, TX 75207
email: gillespiee2011@gmail.com
Education
M.A. Art Department, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, PA, (Magna Cum Laude).
B.F.A., Art Department, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, (Magna Cum Laude).
Booker T. Washington: School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Dallas, Texas, (Magna Cum Laude).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dallas College (Studio Art Professor), Dallas, Texas, 2023 - present
Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts 2025 - present
South Dallas Cultural Center (Art Instructor) Dallas, Texas, 1994-2010
St. Philips School and Community Center (Art Instructor) Dallas, Texas, 1998-2009
Office of Cultural Affairs (Artist in Residence) Dallas, Texas, 1995-2008
Young Audience of Greater Dallas (Artist) Dallas, Texas, 1998-2003
Kimbell Art Museum (Workshops) Fort Worth, Texas, 1997
Dallas Museum of Art (Workshops and Art Instructor) Dallas, Texas, 1994
CURATORIAL WORK
African American Museum (Curator) Dallas, Texas, 2008-2011
Meyerson Symphony Center (Curator) AAF, Dallas, Texas, 2007-2009
The Gregg County Historical Museum (Curator) Gregg County, Texas, 2009
African American Museum (Assistant Curator of collection) Dallas, Texas, 1993-1997
South Side on Lamar (Curator of show) Dallas, Texas, 2004, 2005 and 2006
Janette Kennedy Gallery (Curator of show) Dallas, Texas, 2007
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS (*SOLO SHOWS)
2025
Tanya Weddemire Gallery Brooklyn, NY.
2024
Hamptons Fine Art Fair, Southampton, NY.
2024
Emma Darnell Museum, Fulton County, Georgia. *
2024
FWAF Art Fair, Fort Worth, Texas.
2023
American Heart Association Exhibition, DHV Artworks, Dallas, Texas.
2023
FWAF Art Fair, Fort Worth, Texas.
2023
HFAS Art Fair, The Glasshouse, New York City, New York.*
2022
Members Exhibition, The Mac Museum, Dallas, Texas.
2022
Black Heritage Celebration, Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Dallas, Texas.
2022
Reciprocity, a solo exhibition, Pencil on Paper Gallery, Dallas, Texas.
2021
Fort Worth Art Fair, Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas.
2021
Leisure, a solo exhibition, Pencil on Paper Gallery, Dallas, Texas.
2020
Reciprocity, a solo exhibition, Pencil on Paper Gallery, Addison, Texas.
2018
Identified, a selective retrospective exhibition, OC3 Gallery, Dallas, Texas.
2016
COLLECTIVE, OC3 Gallery, Dallas, Texas.
2015
MIDDLE PASSAGE, Arthello Beck Gallery, Dallas, Texas.
2014
WATER, Kipp Gallery, Indiana, Pennsylvania
2011
COLLECTIVE, Janette Kennedy Gallery, Dallas, Texas
Cora Stafford Gallery, Denton, Texas
Cedar Valley College, Printmaking Show, Lancaster, Texas
2010
WORKS, Arthello Beck Gallery, Dallas, Texas.
GEMS 2, African American Museum, Dallas, Texas.
PUBLIC ART
Walter Hagen Statue, City of Dallas, Cedar Crest Golf Course, 2023
Dr. Charlie Sifford Statue, City of Dallas, Cedar Crest Golf Course, 2023
Ernie Banks Statue, City of Dallas, ARTS, 2018
BEXAR CORRIDOR, City of Dallas, Texas, 2014.
MUSIC AND IMAGINATION, House of Blues Community Project, Dallas, Texas, 2010.
DART, Train Station, Martin Luther King Blvd., Dallas, Texas, 2008.
SANKOFA, South Dallas Cultural Center, Dallas, Texas, 2007.
DART, Rail Station, J.B. Jackson, Dallas, Texas, 2005.
MURAL, Playground, Martin Luther King School, Dallas, Texas, 2004.
MURAL, Warren United Day Care, Dallas, Texas, 2002.
MURAL, "Malcolm," Malcolm Blvd., Dallas, Texas, 2001.
MURAL, North Texas Food Bank, Dallas, Texas, 2001.
MURAL, American Airline, Dallas, Texas, 2000.
MURAL, B.F. Darell Elementary, Dallas, Texas, 1999.
MURAL, Hall of State, Fair Park, Dallas, Texas, 1998.
MURAL, Temporary mural, African American Museum, Dallas, Texas, 1996-1997.
MURAL, McNair Elementary, Dallas, Texas, 1995.
MURAL, Adelle Turner Elementary, Dallas, Texas, 1994.
MURAL, K.B. Polk Elementary, Dallas, Texas, 1993.
MURAL, Exline Recreation Center, Dallas, Texas, 1993.
MURAL, Temporary mural, Trammel Crow Company, Dallas, Texas, 1984.
AWARDS AND HONORS
HONOR SOCIETY, Phi Kappa Phi, University of North Texas
HONOR, Tau Sigma Society, University of North Texas
AWARD, David C. Driskell Artist and Young Scholar Award, 2010.
GRANT, Seagram's Gin Artist in Residence Grant, Dallas, Texas, 1998-1999.
AWARD, National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts.
AWARD, Arts Alliance, Selected Artists Award, Texas.
PUBLICATION AWARD, Who's Who in America.
LECTURES/PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Lecture, "Artistic Process," Pegasus Park, Dallas, Texas, 2024.
Lecture, "Art in the Digital Age," Dallas College, Dallas, Texas, 2023.
Public Speaking, "Art and Performance Art," The Velvet E, Dallas, Texas, 1998.
Lecture, "Art and Careers," Daniel Chappie James Middle School, Dallas, Texas, 1997.
Lecture, "Art and Appraisal," Dr. Pepper Cooperation, Dallas, Texas, 1996.
Lecture, "Art and Appraisal," Drug Enforcement Administration, Dallas, Texas, 1994.
INTERVIEWS AND PUBLICATIONS
“Art and Education”, Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas, 2023
“Three Dimensions”, Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas, 2019
“Ernie Banks”, Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas, 2018
“Ernie Banks”, CBS Channel 11, Dallas, Texas, 2018
“Ernie Banks”, NBC Channel 5, Dallas, Texas, 2018
“Ernie Banks”, D-Magazine, Dallas, Texas, 2018
"Music and Imagination," Art and Seek, KERA, Dallas, Texas, 2010.
"The Green Line," Dart Interview, You Tube, Dallas, Texas, 2010.
"Dart in Motion: Telling the Story in Iron and Stone," Magazine, Dallas, Texas, 2005.
"Erykah Badu: The First Lady of Neo-Soul," Book by Joel Mclever, 2002.
"Nommo," Collaborative CD, Volume One, 1998.
"On the Record," Interview, KERA, Channel 13, Dallas, Texas, 1998.
"Onyx," DFW's Magazine, Dallas, Texas, 1997.
"The New Groove," Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas, 1997.
"The Family of America," Book by Michael Cottman, 1996.