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Earnest "Ernie" Benton
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About The Artist |
Earnest D. Benton, Jr., was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He has been actively involved in artistic pursuits most of his life.
He is a self-taught artist who started making sketches with pencils at a very young age. His interest in drawing,
sketching, and painting grew tremendously during his early school years. As his talent developed
he put it to use for school plays, art contest and competitions, and generally wherever there was an opportunity for his
artistic creativity. Through the years, Earnest has worked to develop his distinctive artistic style and craft producing
several notable pieces, some by special request for private auctions and individuals. He has competed in and won
several art competitions and has been a selected for several juried shows while gaining a solid reputation as an artist.
In the early "90's, Earnest moved to the east coast and discovered a new interest in his art. His medium of choice is
pastels and his pieces are evocative of the great Picasso in geometry and form yet display a truly unique approach.
The colors and mood of each piece give the beholder a sense of wholeness and peace.
Earnest and his wife now reside in North Texas and continue to pursue his artistic endeavors. The paintings of
Earnest 'Ernie' Benton are enjoyed by many. His art hangs in many fine homes across the United States including
Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, New York,
and in the collection at Northlake College, TX.
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Past & Current Artist Affiliations
African American Visual Arts Association, Baltimore, MD 2005
Associated Creative Artists, Dallas, TX 2004 - 2006
The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Dallas, TX 2003 - 2005
Irving Art Association, Irving, TX since 2003
Irving Arts Center, Irving, TX since 2003
Pastel Society of the South West, Dallas, TX 2003 - 2007
Plano Art Association, Plano, TX 2004 - 2006
Texas Artist Coalition, Fort Worth, TX since 2005
The Art House at the Jones Center, Austin, TX 2005
Visual Arts Coalition of Dallas, TX 2004 - 2006
Visual Arts Society of Texas, Denton, TX since 2004
Texas Visual Arts Association Dallas, TX since 2007
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Exhibitions
Sprint Arts and Crafts Festival in Northern Virginia 1993, 1996
DAF Productions Art Exhibition 1994
Up and Coming Artists of Metro D.C. 1996
Washington D.C. Urban League 1997
Verizon BHM Art Connection 2003-2004, 2007
Bank of America BHM Art Expo 2003-2005
FWCAC Biennial: 39 Hour Exhibition 2004, 2006
FWCAC Extended Show 2006
Irving Art Assoc. Annual Members Juried Show 2004-2006
Irving Art Assoc. Winners Exhibition 2006
Irving Art Assoc. Annual WildlifeJuried Show 2005-2006
IAC - Art Connection Members Show 2004-2006
IAC New Talent Gallery 2005
Irving Black Arts Council "Boundless Expressions" 2007
Grand Prairie Arts Council Juried Art Exhibit 2004 - 2006
Artscape Plano, TX 2004
Plano Art Association Members Show 2004 - 2005
ICTN "Visual Embrace" Solo Show 2005
Artist's Showplace Gallery Juried Exhibition 2005, 2006
Artist's Showplace Associates Show 2005
Associated Creative Artist Annual Award Show 2005
Farmer's Branch Library Gallery Show 2006
Plano Art Association "Beauty of Nature Show" 2005
Plano Art Association "Walk On The Wild Side" 2006
Texas & Neighbors Regional Juried Exhibition 2006
TVAA 60th Members Exhibition 2007
PCPC Arts Festival 2007
Studio 2600 "Swells & Curves" 2007
Dallas Symphony African American Concert Festival 2007, 2008
North Lake College Solo Exhibition 2007
Texas Visual Arts Association (TVAA) New Members Exhibition 2008
TVAA Digital Art Show 2008
Fort Worth CAC Biennial Exhibition 2008
Fort Worth CAC 9" x 12" Works on Paper Exhibition 2008
Visual Arts Society of Texas "Art and Poetry" Exhibit 2008
Barnes and Nobles Denton Texas - Solo Exhibition 2008
Artistic Voices Salon Presents The Blues & Jazz Experience Art Exhibition 2008
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Festivals
Irving Heritage Festival Irving, TX 2005
Champions of Literacy Auction Dallas, TX 2005
Allen USA Celebration Allen, TX 2006
Dallas CityArts Festival Dallas, TX 2006
Lakewood Summer Arts Faire, Dallas, TX 2006
Potter's House International Festival, Dallas, TX 2006
Jazz By The Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 2006
IAC Art In The Garden, Irving, TX 2006
Addison ArtFest Addison, TX 2007
Art & Air Festival, Saint Louis, MO 2007
Jazz By The Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 2007
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival Denton, TX 2008
ArtFest Fair Park Dallas, TX 2008
Dallas CityArts Festival Dallas, TX 2008
Lakewood Summer Arts Faire, Dallas, TX 2008
GrapeFest, Grapevine, TX 2008
Jazz By The Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 2008
Cottonwood Art Festival Richardson, TX 2008
Huffhines Art Trails Richardson, TX 2008
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