“Throughout my five years in the NFL, I remained at the deepest level of my being an artist.”

- Ernie Barnes

SELECTED CHRONOLOGY

A young girl in a sleeveless outfit standing in front of a vintage car.

SUNRISE
JULY 15, 1938

A black-and-white portrait of a young boy in a school uniform, with the caption "School Days 1945-46" at the bottom.

Born to Fannie Geer and Ernest E. Barnes Sr. in Durham North Carolina during the height of the Jim Crow era.

Black and white photograph of a large brick building with tower-like features, arched windows, and a staircase leading to an entrance, located on a street with vintage cars parked along the curb and overhead power lines.

Enters grade school already familiar with Toulouse-Lautrec, Delecroix, Rubens and Michelangelo.

1952

Sneaks into the Durham Armory and experiences his first juke joint, the genesis for his painting "The Sugar Shack".

A black and white photograph of a men's track team, the Hornets, posing outdoors with some players standing and others kneeling, against a background of trees and a building.

1956

An oil painting depicting a large wooden table with underwear and clothing, including socks with the number 95, boots, and other garments. The scene is dark and impressionistic in style.

Graduates Hillside High School with 26 athletic scholarship offers as the captain of the football team and shot-put state champion.

1959

Black and white photo of a football player crouching in uniform, wearing jersey number 61.

Creates "The Bench" shortly after being drafted by the Baltimore Colts. This beloved painting remained in his possession despite substantial offers throughout his life.

1960-62

Joins the Los Angeles Chargers. Shortly after, the team moves to San Diego.

A black-and-white photo of an American football game showing a player with number 52 running while holding his football, surrounded by other players and a crowd of spectators watching from the stands.

1963-64

Four people standing in front of a portrait painting of a football player wearing a jersey with the number 12, in an art gallery.

Offensive guard for the Denver Broncos.

1966

First major solo art exhibition. Hosted by NY Jets owner Sonny Werblin at Grand Central Art Galleries in New York City.

Black and white photo of a football helmet used as a paintbrush holder with multiple paintbrushes inside, and tubes of paint and paint caps arranged around it.

1968

Wall art display titled 'the beauty of the ghetto' with black and white paintings depicting scenes of African American life and culture.

Creates first business logo.

1972-76

A lively dance scene on a stage with people dancing and playing instruments, with banners and signs advertising Marvin Gaye's song 'I Want You' and a concert at the Sugar Shack.

"The Beauty of The Ghetto" exhibition tours major US cities.

1976

Close-up of a mural depicting people in traditional attire engaged in a communal activity, with overlay text 'developed by NORMAN LEAR.'

"The Sugar Shack" cover art.

1976-79

Colorful poster titled 'Faith Hope & Charity' depicting a lively, crowded scene of people enjoying a festival or party, with some dancing, talking, and seated at tables.

"The Sugar Shack" appears on the opening and closing credits of the television show Good Times.

1978

Painting of a lively street scene with musicians playing instruments, dancers, and audience members enjoying music at a venue on 125th Street, New York City, with banners and posters in the background.

"The Disco" cover art.

1979

Black and white photo of two men in suits shaking hands, facing each other with smiles. The man on the left wears glasses and has an afro hairstyle; the man on the right has short, styled hair. The background includes curtains and a window.

"Donald Byrd &125th Street" cover art.

1979

Cover of Curtis Mayfield's album titled "Something To Believe In" with a red background and an illustration of a man working on a statue, surrounded by art tools.

Solo exhibition at North Carolina Museum of Art. attended by Governor Jim Hunt

1980

A black and white photograph of a baseball player standing in a batting stance on a baseball field, wearing a cap and uniform with "RANGE" and "USTE" visible. The player is holding a bat and appears ready to hit. Trees and a fence are in the background.

"Late Night DJ" cover art.

1980

Black and white photo of two men at a conference, sitting at a table with microphones. The man on the left is speaking, while the man on the right is listening. A nameplate with 'PETER UEBERROTH' is in front of the man on the right. Artwork is visible on the wall behind them.

Plays Negro League baseball catcher Josh Gibson in the movie, "Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy Satchel Paige”.

1980

A person hanging from a ceiling beam with their arms raised, in a room with dark walls, a window, and a basketball on a stand, with the text 'Ghetto Blaster Crusaders' at the top.

Named official "Sports Artist of the 1984 Olympic Games".

1984

A smiling woman with long curly brown hair wearing a white dress and pearl necklace standing next to a smiling man in a black tuxedo with bow tie, sunglasses, and a yellow boutonniere, in front of a painted backdrop.

"The Maestro" cover art.

1984

Album cover for Crusaders titled "The Good and Bad Times" featuring an illustration of three people jumping over a mattress on a grassy field, with a plain background.

Marries Bernadine "Bernie" Gradney.

1986

Three men standing on a basketball court looking at a large map or plan, with an empty basketball court and seats in the background.

"Head Over Heels" cover art.

1987

Book titled 'From PADS to PALETTE' by Ernie Barnes with an illustrated cover depicting a lively scene of athletes and dancers in vibrant, colorful costumes.

Paints "Fastbreak," commissioned by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1995

A vibrant mural depicting a scene of people playing basketball, with some jumping to make shots and others defending, amid a background featuring clouds, angels, and the Earth, blending sports and spiritual themes.

Releases autobiography about his North Carolina roots and transition from pro football to the beginning of his art career.

1996 "The Dream Unfolds" commissioned by the National Basketball Association for their 50th Anniversary.

Two men in suits shaking hands in front of a large mural depicting a football game.

1996

A painting of a woman with purple hair wearing a yellow dress and high heels, sitting on a stool with one arm extended.

Unveils "Victory in Overtime" commissioned by Carolina Panthers founders Jerry and Rosalind Richardson

2000

A man wearing a tuxedo and glasses, smiling while speaking into a microphone, with tropical plants in the background.

"In Rapture" cover art.

1999

Bestowed The University Award, the highest honor by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.

Two men in suits stand beside a painting of a person with gray hair, kneeling with hands pressed together in prayer, in front of a quilted background and a cracked wall. The men are smiling and the scene appears to be an art exhibit or presentation.

2008

Silhouette of a woman wearing a hat, sitting on a stool, holding a cigarette, with the Playboy bunny logo in the background.

Unveils "Angel in Training" commissioned by Bill & Marcia Withers.

SUNSET

Four people are standing around a framed artwork on an easel in an art gallery.

April 27, 2009 Los Angeles, California

2014

A lively scene of African-American dancers dancing joyfully at the Sugar Shack, with a man in a suit presenting at Christie’s auction house, and a digital screen displaying numbers in the background.

"The Bench" is gifted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for their permanent collection.

2022

A painting of a male gymnast mid-air performing a leap over parallel bars in an indoor gym, wearing red shorts and a sleeveless shirt.

"The Sugar Shack" sells at Christie's Evening Sale at the most exciting, fun 10 minutes in auction house history.

July 15, 2023

North Carolina Museum of Art acquires "Last Hurdle" and celebrates the occasion on his 85th birthday.