Atlanta collector William Arnett’s Souls Grown Deep Foundation has made a significant gift of 54 works to the High Museum there. The combination purchase and gift contains 13 works by Thornton Dial, 11 quilts from the women of Gee’s Bend, Alabama and work by another 33 artists —including three found-object sculptures by Atlanta-based artist and musician Lonnie Holley; several works by Ronald Lockett; and rare work by Atlanta artist Eldren Bailey.

The High’s curator of folk and self-taught art spoke to the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

“This is art that breaks boundaries and defies expectations,” said Katherine Jentleson, curator of folk and self-taught art at the High. “The force of their work is overcoming the kinds of prejudice we once had about who can be an artist.”

High Museum acquires more works by Thornton Dial, Ronald Lockett (Atlanta Journal Constitution)