Keith Conner Collection

Keith was born and raised in Flint, Michigan where his dad “CL” & mom “Eleanor” taught him he could be whatever he wanted to be. Keith chose art over engineering for General Motors.  As a youngster, he attended the Flint Institute of Art.  In 1971 Keith was accepted into the Genesee Area Skill Center’s “Gifted Artist” program.  After graduating both high school & the Skill Center, he attended the American Academy of Art, Chicago and graduated in1976 with a degree in Design & Illustration. Also computer graphics degree 1988.   
 
Keith worked as a science illustrator for Denoyer-Gepprert Co. (Times Mirror) where he produced science charts & filmstrips for the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia. Also he free-lanced with World Book & Encyclopedia Britannica and worked on calendar projects for Miller Brewing Co. & Luster Products Inc. Keith created 28 Black History Illustrations that aired daily on WGN-TV  as public service announcements during Black History Month “Black History Notes” for several years and later 28 more “Black History Moments” Illustrations for Central City-Chicago Tribune Productions that aired each day on WGN channel 9 for years during February narrated by TV stars Ted Lange, Blair Underwood, Lou Rawls, Roxie Roker, Holly Robinson Peete, Montell Williams, Sheri Belafonte, Nichelle Nichols & many others. Currently featured works for African American Expressions 2014 Calendar’s “Walking by Faith” & “Make Me Mold Me” also featured in “Sunday Morning” 2015, also 2020 Maya Angelou through 2024 calendars and greeting card publications.

His artwork has been exhibited in many Galleries  and shows including Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry,  Dusable Museum of African American history, Black Ensemble Theater, Solo Show ETA Theater, Gallery D’Estee, Gallery Guichard, South Side Community Art Center, Gorgeous Gallery, Chicago Cultural Center, Nicole Gallery, Tall Grass of Park Forest & Ohare Airport. Most recently Essence Festival New Orleans, Washington DC & The Tom Joyner Foundation Cruise. His work can be found in collections of notables across the country.