Burnett Curtis Grayson, III

Burnett Curtis Grayson, III, has had the desire to be an artist at an early age. Whether it was drawing with his first crayon or watching his favorite TV sitcom “Good Times” as J.J. (Jimmy Walker) created masterpieces on his easel. He later learned that all the artwork shown were from The Ernie Barnes’ Collection. His demand for education in the arts continued. With his desire and talents, he is definitely one of the most inspiring and up and coming artist today.

One of Grayson’s most celebrated series of work is his “Revelations Series”, a dedication to the Alvin Ailey’s signature dance piece. One of the pieces in the collection entitled, “Dance of August” can be seen in the HBO production of Terri McMillan’s novel Disappearing Acts, starring Sanaa Lathan and Wesley Snipes, which premiered December 2000.

He works with oils, acrylics, watercolors and other mixed mediums. He uses bold, brilliant and bright hues, which display power and energy with each brush stroke. His paintings are filled with strong emotion and feeling.

Mr. Grayson was born in Montclair, New Jersey, but experienced his education in East Orange and Newark. In 1987 he graduated from the prestigious Arts High School of Newark. Furthering his education, he attended William Patterson College and in 1993 received a Bachelor of Arts in African Studies. A need to incorporate the arts on another level lead Grayson in 1995 to create his company called Kemetic Expressions, a company created to uplift, educate and change the negative images of the African-American Experience. Specializing in the “CULTURE” in all aspects shown through fine arts, poetry, dance and spirituality, Kemetic Expressions believes in the totality of the Arts.

Grayson’s work has been exhibited at various shows across the country such as the Denver Black Arts Festival, Black Heritage Arts Festival, Brooklyn Promenade, Cleveland Fine Art Show, Plainfield Art Festival, October Gallery- Philadelphia Art Expo, Art in the Attrium of Morristown and a host of galleries just to name a few.

When he is not painting, he enjoys spending time with his wife Daneen and sons Burnett, IV and Andrew. Grayson also enjoys training in the African Martial Arts, Kupigana Ngumi, under the instruction of Mfundishi Maasi, Mfundishi Khalil Maasi, and Mfundishi Akili Alyne. Currently he is training with teacher Paka Khan under Mpigana Sanaa School of Martial Arts, Bando System.

Grayson is an active brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, initiated at Iota Rho Chapter in the Spring of 1991. His goals are to establish his own art gallery and to publish and distribute the work of other artist.