Anthony Burks Sr.

Anthony Burks is one of the most unique conceptual artists in America. However, his impact on the art world is equally immense and all encompassing. He wears many hats, including master artist, curator, and arts influencer. Additionally, his work has helped change the landscape of South Florida, through the planning, creation, and execution of innovative arts programming in a city not well recognized for its artistic offerings.

His think-tank, turned museum, Continuum PB Art Fair co-founded with wife Trina and partner Craig Mcinnis, provides upscale must attend shows that tout cutting-edge art, lectures with industry professionals. silent auctions, black tie affairs, fashion shows, live painting and musical performances. The shows have an expansive reach including local and national partners such as Bombay Sapphire and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Noting the lack of exhibition opportunities for minorities, Anthony and Trina created ‘ The African Diaspora Exhibition ’, a show focused on the beauty and culture of black and brown people representing the African and Afro-Caribbean descendants of the African Diaspora.

Under the moniker of their company ATB Fine Art Group Inc., Anthony and Trina instituted several ventures including No More Starving Artists Foundation a registered 501c3 whose dual mission is to provide artist project grants and to aide artists experiencing difficulties or hardship.

Anthony believes in mentorships and spends a great deal of time teaching less seasoned artists the ins and outs of the arts industry and art business. He is only able to do so because he has spent a great deal of time perfecting his own craft, cultivating a printing company and expanding a product line which includes wearables, and coloring books.

Anthony is an excellent draftsman with a discriminating eye for extreme detail. His works draw on vibrant colors, jewel-tones, and powerful figures that stand-alone void of frivolous and unnecessary backgrounds.

His paintings mix colored pencils, watercolor, pen, and ink, and are characterized by his unusual choice of colors. Whether depicting birds, animals, or people, Anthony is able to convey the intertwining of their beauty and their strength. He chooses his subjects because of what they mean to him, and he tells their stories through his combination of realistic forms, bright colors, and abstract images.

A graduate of the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Anthony has exhibited at galleries, museums, and events for over twenty years. Some include: the Endangered Species of Florida Exhibition at the Paul Fisher Gallery, the Collaboration: African Diaspora & the CONTINUUM PB Art Fair, a pop up exhibition (which all three shows were co-created and curated by his company ATB .); juried exhibit at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens; Wild Things, an art exhibition benefitting the Rare Species Conservatory; and Elements, a collaboration with three artists to promote the understanding of South Florida’s ecosystem and The Everglades.

Anthony is one of the first Artist Innovation Fellows for the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County where he presented his series of profile portraits Natural Beauty and ONE LOVE.

He has works in permanent collections including “Freedom” at the Old School Square’s Cornell Museum Permanent Collection, “Esperanza Spaulding” at Broward College, Bailey Hall, , Mirror Black and Juneteenth in the R.H. Norton Permanent Collection of the Norton Museum of Art, commission public art and signage with the City of West Palm Beach’s Art in Public Places and commissioned works for Canopy Hilton Hotel in the Downtown City of West Palm Beach.

He is currently one of several artist residents at the award-winning artist collective, The Peach.

Anthony mentors fellow artists young and old, teaching them his techniques and encouraging them to pursue their own creative talents. As the co-founder of ATB, he educates, adjudicates and curates shows for other artists and promotes the local arts community.