Columbus-born artist  Amy Sherald has been tapped to paint former first lady Michelle Obama’s portrait, which will hang in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Sherald, who lives in Baltimore, and fellow artist Kehinde Wiley of New York, were selected to do the portraits of former President Barack and first lady Michelle Obama.

Artist Amy Sherald, Facebook photo. Photographer not known.
icon to expand image

The Obamas  weighed in on their selection.

Wiley, who is  best known for his vibrant, large-scale paintings of African Americans, will create the portrait of President Obama.

Sherald, first-prize winner of the Portrait Gallery’s 2016 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.

Related:

The two portraits will be unveiled at the museum in early 2018 and will be added to the gallery’s permanent collection.

Michelle Obama Reveals Last Night In White House

At the end of each presidency, the museum partners with the White House to commission one official portrait of the president and one of his spouse. There are two sets of official portraits: one for the White House and one for the National Portrait Gallery.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Blooper celebrates the Atlanta Brave’s 5-0 win over the New York Mets during a MLB game Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Truist Park. This year, the venue is a first-time host of the MLB All-Star game. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado for the AJC

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC