Anita Philyaw

1937 - 2025

Anita L. Philyaw, born on May 29, 1937, passed into eternal rest on January 26, 2025. Ms. Philyaw was a prolific and accomplished artist, originally from New York City. Ms. Philyaw studied art and education at Sarah Lawrence College and went on to earn a Masters of Art from Columbia University. After many years working as an educator in the NY City public school system, she began painting full time in 1991. Ms. Philyaw relocated to Washington, DC and became closely associated with prominent artists including Lou Stovall, David Driscoll, Preston Sampson, Sam Gilliam and Jacob Lawrence. She was represented by the Stella Jones Gallery of New Orleans and exhibited widely, including at the Arts Club of Washington and the University of Baltimore. Her works are part of notable collections in the U.S. and abroad. In the late 1990s she was commissioned by Absolut Vodka for the Expressions Art Collection which highlighted vanguard and visionary artists. Her composition for the series is held in the Absolut museum in Stockholm, Sweden. Ms. Philyaw's artworks incorporate bold colors, strong silhouettes and sometimes collage elements, celebrating humanity in simple yet profound ways. Ms. Philyaw was one of few women artists of color to be distinguished among her male counterparts in the 1990s and early 2000s. She is survived by extended family including a cousin, Kathleen Lloyd, and goddaughter, Andrea Harris Smith. Ms. Philyaw was dearly loved and will be profoundly missed by many friends, colleagues and associates. A memorial service will be held on March 16, 2025 at the Washington Ethical Society, 7750 - 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20012. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any gifts be directed to the Alzheimer's foundation in Ms. Philyaw's name.