COLUMBUS – Missy and Wes Cochran have loaned a collection of selected works on paper by African American women artists to The Columbus Museum in an exhibition that opened April 21. The exhibition is on display in The Museum’s Yarbrough Gallery through August 19.

“Dancing on the Edge of the Abyss: Abstraction by African American Women Artists” in the Cochran Collection attests to “the remarkable depth of talent by African American women artists who worked in the field of abstraction despite receive little critical or popular attention,” said Columbus Museum Director Marianne Richter.

The selection includes more than two dozen rarely-seen works on paper by 18 different artists, including a late watercolor by Alma Thomas, the Columbus-born artist whose paintings and drawings can be found in the permanent collections of The Columbus Museum, numerous museums and private collections across the United States.

“My deepest expression of gratitude goes to Wesley and Missy Cochran who have agreed to part with a selection of their treasures for five months,” said Jonathan F. Walz, museum director of curatorial affairs and curator of American art.

“Their support of and knowledge about African American art, as well their willingness to share their cherished possessions, are an inspiration to me and everyone at The Columbus Museum.”