A welcome from our Founder: Eugene Grigsby, Jr. Chair Emeritus

Happy Birthday! – The Old Guy is 93

In the late 1970´s and early 80´s I believed along with many other Artist that we in Arizona as well as the rest of the United States were losing tract of the importance of art in our communities and more specifically the role and contributions that African and African American Art had played in all of our histories. I saw that it was important to find ways to ensure that this history of Art be valued, preserved and continued. Thus COBA was founded with its mission being to promote an “Understanding and Support for African and African American arts and artist”.

For over twenty years I along with COBA’s members and its many sponsors have dedicated ourselves to this vision, and have done so through the creation of, the Inner-city/Multicultural Invitational Madeline Hardy Youth Art Exhibits for high school students and with the many scholarships we have provided for our youth to further their education. COBA partnered with Artist of the Black Community/AZ (ABC/AZ) to strengthen support of the mission. I am extremely proud of the work that COBA has done and welcome you to our website. I would also like to extend an invitation to you to participate with us in our mission. There are many ways that you can play a role, be it as a volunteer, donor or sponsor (see our donation page)