How do we articulate the challenges of our experience in life? Randolph-Macon College art history professor Dr. Evie Terrono explores this question through the eyes of African-American artists, spanning from the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement to modern day.

“Traditionally, American art tends to be very optimistic,” said Terrono. “Rarely do you see a critical approach; it wasn’t until relatively recently, beginning in the 1940s and beyond.

“And it’s only in the second half of 20th century that African-American artists engaged with the realities of life in the United States from a very critical perspective,” she continued. “So that’s what I will explore, not necessarily accepting the status quo, but questioning the experience.”

As part of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts lecture series, Terrono will give a presentation and lead discussion at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton on Feb. 19.

Terrono’s presentation on the themes of exclusion and marginalization will include paintings, photographs and other performance from artists including Faith Ringgold, Kara Walker, Kehinde Wiley and Gordon Parks.

“I’ll try to be mindful of the fact that people are not art history majors,” said Terrono. “But the value of art is to speak to not only those that are in the know, but those who are not. Otherwise it’s just pictures.”

The VMFA Lecture Series: “Civil War to Civil Rights -- How African-American Artists Engage the Past” takes place at the Workhouse Arts Center at Lorton on Feb. 19 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, $5 for Artists at the Workhouse, Friends of the Workhouse, Workhouse Volunteers and Military. For more information, visit www.workhousearts.org.