The Legacy of Lavarne Ross

Laverne Ross (1941–2024), born and raised in Flint, Michigan, was a master storyteller who depicted the moments of life he had been exposed to, capturing their very essence through a paintbrush. Drawing from a rich well of personal experience, he brought to canvas the themes of family life, ancestry, music, and religion — what he simply called "just life itself."

Ross lived through a remarkable transition of people and a city from one era to another, and he felt a deep obligation to record those events and changes in his work. "As an artist," he once said, "I feel obligated to record these events and changes on canvas. That is part of being an artist."

With a years-long career as both an artist and historian, Ross witnessed his beloved city of Flint go through its highs and lows, yet he remained steadfastly appreciative of the opportunity to share his perspective. His paintings became visible throughout the entire city, and his reach extended far beyond — his works were celebrated and displayed around the globe, earning him recognition as a world-renowned artist. Whether viewed on the streets of Flint or in collections across continents, his art resonated universally. He was as much a part of Flint's history as the people and buildings he so lovingly portrayed with his palette — a chronicler of his community whose brush preserved the soul of a city and its people for generations to come.