Three years ago today, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald became the first Black artists to create official, Smithsonian-commissioned portraits of a former President and First Lady.
Since the portraits’ installation in 2018, four million people have traveled to the National Portrait Gallery to view them—essentially doubling the museum’s attendance.
The arts have always been central to the American experience, and we’re thrilled that the portraits will be coming to the Art Institute of Chicago later this year.
Take a look back at the unveiling of President and Mrs. Obama’s presidential portraits.
Here’s to the power of art,
—The Obama Foundation
