Boston Celebrates Allan Rohan Crite with Dual Museum Exhibitions

On October 23, 2025, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Boston Athenaeum inaugurated concurrent exhibitions honoring Allan Rohan Crite (1910–2007), a distinguished African American artist renowned for his vivid portrayals of Boston's Black community.

The Gardner Museum's exhibition, "Allan Rohan Crite: Urban Glory," presents approximately 130 works, including oil paintings, watercolors, lithographs, books, collages, and works on paper. This collection focuses on Crite's depictions of the Roxbury and South End neighborhoods during periods of urban renewal and gentrification. The exhibition is on view from October 23, 2025, through January 19, 2026. Additionally, the museum features "Visions of Black Madonnas" in the Fenway Gallery, showcasing Crite's religious-themed works, and a façade installation titled "Robert T. Freeman: Allan Crite - American Griot, 2025."

Simultaneously, the Boston Athenaeum presents "Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston," offering a comprehensive overview of Crite's career and his role as a storyteller and knowledge keeper. The exhibition features nearly 100 works, including his early Neighborhood Series, drawings, illustrated books, and archival materials, with a special focus on his embrace of the printing press during the mid-20th century. This exhibition runs from October 23, 2025, through January 24, 2026.

Born on March 20, 1910, in North Plainfield, New Jersey, Allan Rohan Crite moved to Boston at a young age and spent most of his life in the city's South End. He attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, graduating in 1936, and later earned an ALB degree from Harvard Extension School in 1968. Crite's work primarily focused on depicting the everyday lives of African Americans in Boston, aiming to present them as integral members of American society. His art spans religious themes and secular scenes, often blending the two to highlight the sacred in the ordinary. Crite passed away on September 6, 2007, at the age of 97.

The concurrent exhibitions at two of Boston's esteemed cultural institutions underscore a growing recognition and appreciation of African American artists and their contributions to the city's cultural landscape. By showcasing Crite's work, these exhibitions provide an opportunity for the public to engage with the history and experiences of Boston's Black community, fostering a deeper understanding of the city's diverse heritage.

While Crite's work has been exhibited in various venues over the years, the simultaneous exhibitions at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Boston Athenaeum represent a significant milestone in acknowledging his legacy. This dual recognition highlights the evolving narrative within the art world, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and the representation of diverse voices.

Both exhibitions are accompanied by a co-published catalog, "Allan Rohan Crite: Neighborhood Liturgy," providing an extensively researched, fully illustrated account of the artist's career.

These exhibitions not only celebrate Crite's artistic achievements but also invite audiences to reflect on the rich cultural tapestry of Boston's neighborhoods and the enduring impact of artists who document and honor their communities.