The landmark retrospective introduces Pittsburgh to the prolific, globe-trotting sculptor whose rebellious thinking and obsessive drive helped reshape the story of 20th-century American art.

PITTSBURGH, PA — The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and Art Bridges, proudly presents Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden, on view from May 5 through October 27, 2025. This is the first major retrospective of 20th-century African American sculptor John W. Rhoden (1916–2001), a groundbreaking artist whose life and legacy have been largely overlooked in mainstream American art history. The opening reception will be held in AWAACC’s Highmark Room from 7:00pm-9:00pm on Thursday May 8.

Spanning more than five decades of Rhoden’s extraordinary career, Determined to Be features over 40 works in bronze, wood, and stone, alongside never before seen archival materials, letters, and photographs. Through immersive galleries anchored by the artist’s migration—from the American South to New York, across Europe, and into Asia—the exhibition traces the arc of Rhoden’s career and his transformation into an international cultural ambassador.

“John Rhoden’s artistic journey is one of bold creativity, global exploration, and resilience,” said Janis Burley, President & CEO/Artistic Director of AWAACC. “His artistic vision stands as a testament to the power of sculpture as a vehicle for cultural expression and social change. We are proud to celebrate his legacy here in Pittsburgh. This exhibition is a stark reminder of the Black artists whose excellence has too often been excluded from the canon. It’s an honor to help change that.”

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Rhoden defied the social limitations of his time through education, mentorship, and relentless curiosity. He earned accolades including a Fulbright Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Prix de Rome. In the 1950s and ’60s, he traveled the world as part of U.S. cultural diplomacy efforts, creating large-scale sculptures and building artistic bridges from Indonesia to Italy. Despite his success, Rhoden’s work has not been the subject of a major monograph or solo museum exhibition—until now.

Originally organized by PAFA, where Rhoden’s archive is held, the exhibition includes sculptures from his early years in New York to monumental wood carvings from his time in Indonesia. The show explores major themes in his work, from spiritual iconography and global mythology to portraiture and public art.

Determined to Be is more than a retrospective—it’s a reclamation of place and purpose for an artist who helped shape the visual language of modern America. With its arrival at AWAACC, the exhibition continues a national conversation about equity in the arts, cultural memory, and the transformative power of travel, education, and creative networks.

ABOUT AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a nonprofit cultural organization located in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District that generates artistic, educational, and community initiatives that advance the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. One of the largest cultural centers in the country focused exclusively on the African American experience and the celebration of Black culture and the African diaspora, the non-profit organization welcomes more than 100,000 visitors locally and nationally. Through year-round programming across multiple genres, such as the annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Black Bottom Film Festival, AWCommunity Days, TRUTHSayers speaker series, and rotating art exhibits in its galleries, the Center provides a platform for established and emerging artists of color whose work reflects the universal issues of identity that Wilson tackled, and which still resonate today. Major support for AWAACC’s operations is provided by Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). AWAACC’s programming is made possible by generous support from its donors. For a complete list, visit our website: awaacc.org

SPONSORSHIP

Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden is organized by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Determined To Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden is made possible thanks to the following generous supporters.

Lead support and artwork provided by the estate of Richanda Rhoden. Major support is provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art, William Penn Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art and donors to PAFA’s Special Exhibition Fund. Lead support for the exhibition catalogue is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. The organization and digitization of the John Rhoden Archives at PAFA was made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

Generous support provided by Art Bridges.

###

Media Contacts
Khalil Waldron: 412-742-4771 | kwaldron@awaacc.org
Carolyn McClair | CMPR : (212) 721-3341 | cmcclair@awaacc.org