The National Gallery in D.C. houses a collection of approximately a 150 pieces of art by African Americans that date back as far as 1807 and up to at least 2004. The collection, while diverse, in part is the story of the African in America. This body of work illustrates a contribution to the overall culture of the United States, sometimes overlooked and overshadowed by the rhetoric of the times. There are many well known artists in this collection as well as names that I was not familiar with. Any trip to the nation’s capital should include a visit the National Gallery.