In 1922, Douglas was the first African-American to earn a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Nebraska. Just two years later, he was taking a leadership role in the cultural awakening of African-Americans in New York's Harlem Renaissance. Creating bold and dignified imagery of people, places and scenes of routine African-American life, Douglas' paintings celebrated black history and culture.

For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.