Willie Birch

(American, born 1942)

Artist Willie Birch works in a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, and sculpture. He was born in New Orleans and draws inspiration from his native city and the African American experience. He notes, “A major function of my art is to serve as a historical record of my times. My work is rooted in the notion that art can provoke social change.”

Birch earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Art Education from the Maryland Institute College of Art. In 2004, he was honored with the Governor’s Award from the State of Louisiana. He continues to live and work in New Orleans.