JAY C. BAKARI

Jay C. Bakari, also known as Jay. C. Allen was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1960. He began his formal art education in high school at Forbes Road Vocational East. He went on to attend the Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Ivy School of Art, eventually transferring from Ivy to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He ran out of money before he completed his degree, however, and was forced to continue the development of his skills while supporting himself with a day job and utilizing the resources of local libraries.

Jay C. Bakari developed a line best-selling of prints that pay homage to Black history, from the Egyptian civilization to the more modern Civil Rights era, and portray strong Black families and love relationships. He fomrd his own publishing company, Bakari Editions, and built a large and loyal following exhibiting at art fairs and Black consumer shows. Jay C. Bakari died in 2010 at the age of 50.