Kehinde Wiley a New York based artist, will paint Barack Obama’s official presidential portrait. It is scheduled to be hung in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
Although he was raised in South Central, L.A., he now lives in Brooklyn.
Wiley’s paintings add a modern twist to re-imagined Western classic paintings, he shows contemporary African-Americans in theatrical poses. 
Michelle Obama has selected artist Amy Sherald a Baltimore based artist. Sherald is known for using gray skin tones in her work. Last year she became the first African-American and woman to win the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.
The portraits are scheduled to be unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in early 2018.
The National Portrait Gallery will be raising private funds for each of the portraits, the unveiling event, educational programs and website.
Are you excited for Wiley’s painting to be unveiled? Let us know!
