An Enduring Legacy: Jerry Pinkney, The Visionary Who Found Soul, Sound, and Voice

When I hear the name Jerry Pinkney, I think of my legacy. He wasn't simply an acclaimed illustrator; he was my grandfather and a profound father figure—a man whose exceptional kindness, honor, and strength of character made him, in my eyes, an angel. His life was a masterclass in purpose, vision, and unconditional love, demonstrating that anything is possible. Watching him rise from very humble beginnings to become a global name is incredible, showing me the potential for my own life. My grandfather’s art was a direct reflection of his intentionality. Every watercolor brushstroke, every vibrant color choice, and the jutted poses of his models were placed with purpose. You can feel his very energy and emotion woven into the final piece. He showed me what was possible when a clear reason for living anchors your actions. 

Recently, this enduring spirit was made vividly real at the opening of his new exhibit, Soul, Sound, and Voice: The Art of Jerry Pinkney, at the Woodmere Museum in his hometown of Philadelphia. For me and my family, who traveled long distances to be there, the experience was pure magic and music. Seeing the beautifully placed artwork, intentionally displayed so that children could view it easily, and witnessing the joy on the faces of everyone who attended, confirmed that he was surely happy. I truly felt his presence and energy in the room. The groundbreaking exhibition, which runs at Woodmere before traveling across the country, is a delight. It showcases the work of the master watercolorist (1939-2021), whose 100+ books have inspired millions. The approximately 100 watercolors and illustrations focus on the profound influence of music on his life and work, centering on the themes of finding voice and building agency, especially for young people. 

My grandfather interpreted American history and identity through the lens of his experience as an African American raised in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. It was there he realized the vital roles that art and music play in shaping a person’s understanding of society. He is celebrated not only as one of America’s greatest watercolorists but as a preeminent illustrator who transformed children’s literature by making it inclusive of Black histories. His enduring, optimistic belief was that through art and music, we can find common ground and help heal the wounds of our shared past. 

The Three Voices of My Grandfather’s Work The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into three thematic sections: 

• A Chorus of Voices: Honoring Black History This section features my grandfather’s picture books that highlight African American traditions, historical events, and cultural contributions tied to music. Notably, it includes illustrations from The Sweethearts of Rhythm: The Story of the Greatest All-Girls Swing Band and A Place To Land: The Speech That Inspired A Nation. His vivid depictions for God Bless the Child powerfully illustrate the Great Migration, capturing how "People packed up spirituals and folksongs like valued possessions and carried them along as nourishment for their souls.” 
• Ballads: Folk Tales and Fables Reimagined My grandfather dedicated himself to retelling and "re-righting" popular stories of the past. This section features his reimaginings of classics like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Aesop's The Grasshopper and the Ants, and Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Little Mermaid, which he painted with strong Black protagonists and set in distinctly African locales. 
• The Music Makers: Classical, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Soul, and Rock ‘n Roll This is a rich display of my grandfather’s graphic design commissions, portraying music legends from Benny Golson and Ma Rainey to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder, alongside classical masters like Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. Highlights include a 1977 Seagram’s calendar celebrating the Black roots of jazz and swing, and his luminous watercolors giving visual voice to Black spirituals and gospels. 

Continuing the Impact Organized by Woodmere and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the exhibition will travel to Massachusetts in June 2026, followed by stops at The Frick Pittsburgh and the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. Furthermore, a Teacher Resource of curriculum materials is being developed to align with national standards for teaching music, art, and social studies in K-12 education, ensuring his work continues to shape young minds nationwide. My grandfather’s memory will forever live on and live with me. I hope to make his legacy proud through my life and my children, and to make an impact on the world in the same intentional and loving way he did.

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