Exhibit Depicts Contributions of African Americans

In correlation with Black History Month, the Booth Western Art Museum is pleased to announce Acworth artist Ernest Varner and his current exhibit, The Longest Mile, now on display.

(In this photo, Ernest Varner shows his piece Commander-in-Chief, and explains the long road that African Americans have taken from Buffalo Soldier to the highest military rank there is – Commander in Chief.)

Drawing on his experience in the military and his passion for art, Varner created The Longest Mile to pay tribute to the Buffalo Soldier and show just how far African Americans have come in military ranking. Sergeant Major was generally the highest rank a Buffalo Soldier could earn, and through the years African Americans have moved higher and higher. General Colin Powell held the highest U.S. government rank of all African Americans when he was appointed Secretary of State under the Bush Administration, until President Obama became Commander in Chief.

Varner’s work celebrates a diversity of heroes to encourage Americans to celebrate their ethnic heritage and inspire the next generation of Americans regarding the journey ahead. His work will be on display in the Theatre Lobby Gallery until March 14.


(A Noble Past, which is part of the Booth Museum’s permanent collection, is one of the paintings in The Longest Mile exhibition. It depicts a Buffalo Soldier standing alongside an African tribesman; a piece which reflects a proud African heritage.)

Evening Lecture at the Booth Museum:
Using the images from his exhibition, Varner will present an Evening Lecture in the Booth Theatre on Thursday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m., and will describe why he became interested in portraying the history of African Americans in the West. He will be joined on the program by Jim “Hank” Scott a long-time researcher and Buffalo Soldier re-enactor. Scott will describe the heroic efforts of the Buffalo Soldiers.