René Dickerson was just a boy when his father introduced him to the world of Art in the San Francisco Bay Area. In fact, René’s father loved art so much that he named his son after the famous Belgian artist René Magritte.

René’s love of sculptures, paintings, and the performing arts began at an early age, eventually charting a course for what would become a life-long connection to the arts.

In Junior High School, the popular record label, Motown, which featured rhythm and blues music, tickled René’s fancy, eventually leading him to form his own band with a similar style. His group grew continued to grow in popularity until René was drafted into military service during the Vietnam War. René’s artistic talents would end up being utilized during his time overseas while serving five years in the Army as an illustrator.

When René returned home from the Army, his band had long since disassembled, but that didn’t stop René from continuing to hone his artistic abilities.

Making the choice to pursue a formal career as an artist, René received a plethora of negative feedback early in his career. Instead of giving credence to critics who felt he was wasting his time, René turned his critic’s words into “negative motivation”, pushing him to work harder and perfect his craft with the goal of proving himself to the world.

Shortly after returning home from Vietnam, René submitted some of his work to a local county fair. This decision became a turning point for René as he was commissioned to illustrate 6 paintings after a total stranger caught wind of his work on display. René would go on to be paid a whopping $12,000 for his work, instilling him with the confidence to continue to pursue his artistic dream for a living.

Over the past 40 years, René’s artwork would be featured in various exhibits around the world including the collections of Thomas Moorhead, owner of BMW of Sterling, VA, and Motown favorites Berry Gordy and Otis Williams, to name a few. He is currently working on the Temptations 60th Anniversary brand logo.

You can view René’s cumulative body of work on display as part of his first retrospective exhibition at the Art Factory in Manassas, VA.

January 26-March 27, 2021
9419 Battle St., Manassas, VA 20110
Viewing by appointment only. jexum@virginiaartfactory.org/703-330-2787

Virtual Artist Talk: Saturday, February 6, 11am-Noon (ZOOM)

Interact with René Dickerson during our FREE Virtual Artist Talk. Hear from the artist firsthand about his artwork and creative process, followed by a Q&A. Use this link to join: tinyurl.com/VIRTUALartisttalkRENÉ (Hosted by the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.)

You can also check out a few of René’s “Motown in Manassas” collection on display at local Jirani Coffeehouse in Old Town Manassas.