This Friday, December 2, marks the centennial year of Howard Finster’s birth and the Albany Museum of Art will host a special celebration to mark the occasion. Museum visitors will be treated to Coffee and Conversation at 10:30 am and free birthday cake all day. Coffee and Conversation will offer an in-depth discussion on Finster’s life, his unique style and significant themes found within his numerous pieces. This event is free and open to the public.

The Albany Museum of Art is currently showcasing the exhibition, Man of Visions: the Inspired Works of the Reverend Howard Finster in the Haley Gallery. Finster became one of the most widely known and prolific self-taught artists, producing over 46,000 pieces of art by his death in 2001. This exhibition will be on display through February 25, 2017.

Howard Finster is considered the “Andy Warhol of the South” and the godfather of contemporary American folk and visionary art. He did not devote himself to making art until later in life, following a vision calling him to paint 5,000 sacred art pieces in order to spread the Gospel. A few days before Christmas of 1985, he completed the 5,000th piece, which is featured in the AMA’s exhibition. Also included among the over 60 works in the exhibition is the album cover for the American new wave band Talking Heads. Released in June 1985, the album cover for Little Creatures was selected as album cover of the year by Rolling Stone magazine.