MOCA GA / Calendar

Larry Walker’s work as an artist, educator, curator, arts administrator, and writer has inspired so many throughout his prolific career. He has been a mentor to many, and a true friend and unwavering supporter of MOCA GA since MOCA’s inception.  In celebrating and honoring Larry’s life in the arts, we have put together this exhibition of artwork from the MOCA GA permanent collection, accompanied by archives representing the scope of his extensive career through which he reached so many.

Larry’s interest in drawing and painting began in New York as a child shortly after moving from Atlanta, leading him to New York’s renowned High School of Music & Art. After high school, Walker moved to Detroit, MI and earned a BS in art education and an MFA in drawing and painting from Wayne State University. He taught in the Detroit school system for 6 years; at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA for 19 years; and at Georgia State University (GSU) for 17 years.

Not long into his tenure at GSU the art department became the School of Art and Design, for which Walker served as Director for 11 years, retiring from teaching in 2000.  He continued to create art for the next two decades.

As a working artist in Atlanta, and throughout his long academic career, Larry Walker was extremely committed to the arts, and an active member and board member of numerous local and national arts organizations. He took part in more than 200 exhibitions, and his work is found in many museums and private collections.  Artist Benny Andrews stated “Many are called to teach and many are called to be artists, but few answer when challenged to be exceptional at both.”

Above image:  Larry Walker, “Passing M9 and Other Wall Spirits,” 2009, Acrylic collage with mixed materials, Gift of Larry and Gwendolyn Walker. Photography by Michael McKelvey