Njideka Akunyili Crosby was born in Enugu, Nigeria in 1983 and currently lives and works in Los Angeles. She was a participant in La Biennale di Venezia, 58th International Art Exhibition, May You Live In Interesting Times, curated by Ralph Rugoff (11 May - 24 November 2019). She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts Degree from University of the Arts (2020) and Otis College (2024), an Honorary Doctorate of Art from Swarthmore College (2019), a MacArthur Fellowship (2017), and a United States Artist Fellowship (2021). Akunyili Crosby’s work is held in significant museum collections throughout the world. 

The lecture has been sponsored in part by Hyatt Regency Atlanta and the Ernest G. Welch Foundation.

ABOUT THE WELCH VISITING ARTISTS & SCHOLAR LECTURE SERIES

This year-round calendar of art lectures provides students with intellectual access to a diverse group of acclaimed artists, art historians, art educators, curators, and scholars. Our guests conduct on-campus talks about their art, research, and careers, adding to the pedagogical discourse of contemporary art in the classroom and studio. All VAS events are free and open to the public, an important educational program for the regional art scene.

All 2025-2026 VAS lectures will take place within walking distance of our Arts & Humanities main building (10 Peachtree Center Ave SE), at Kopleff Recital Hall (15 Gilmer St SE) and Student Center East (55 Gilmer St).

There is City of Atlanta Park Mobile street parking available on Edgewood, Auburn, Courtland, and other adjacent streets.

Georgia State parking decks are also open to visitors for a $10 fee. T Deck (43 Auburn Ave NE) is the closest GSU deck to Kopleff and M Deck is the closest GSU deck to the Student Center East, but more visitor parking information can be found at parking.gsu.edu.

Marta: Take the East/West rapid-rail line to the Georgia State Station. Exit station onto Piedmont Avenue. Walk right two blocks to Gilmer Street (you will cross over Decatur Street). Cross Piedmont and enter Student Center East at the corner of Piedmont and Gilmer. More information is available at MARTA.