“The Obama Portraits Tour”

The Metro Atlanta community has an opportunity to see the “The Obama Portraits Tour” through March 20 at the High Museum of Art.  The tour features the portraits of former President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama by artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. 

Unveiled in 2018, the Portrait Gallery’s commissioned portraits of the Obamas have garnered international attention. Initiated by popular demand from museums across the country and the Portrait Gallery’s mission to broaden discussions on portraiture. 

“The Obama Portraits Tour” commenced in Chicago, June 18, 2021, where it consistently broke daily attendance records for the Art Institute of Chicago before traveling to the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Part of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the tour consisted of five-cities, including Atlanta. Two additional cities have been added to the tour with presentations at the de Young Museum in San Francisco (June 18–Aug. 14) and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Sept. 3–Oct. 30). 

The paintings will return on view in Washington, D.C., with celebrations at the Portrait Gallery in early November.

“The Obama Portraits Tour” is accompanied by The Obama Portraits book published in partnership with Princeton University Press and is overseen by the National Portrait Gallery’s team of art historians. 

Tickets are $16.50 and guests are encouraged to purchase timed tickets in advance through the website. There are limited walk-up tickets available each day. Masks are mandatory for all guests over 2 years old. 

The High Museum of Art is located at 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. Their phone number is 404-733- 4400. Go to their website for more info: high.org.