Lou Stovall

Lou Stovall (1937–2023) was a master silkscreen printmaker who fundamentally transformed the medium and the art scene in Washington, D.C. since the 1960s. After arriving in D.C. in 1962 to attend Howard University, Stovall became a cultural catalyst, founding Workshop, Inc. in 1968. This community printmaking studio initially produced posters for civil rights movements and local events, but quickly grew into a highly respected professional printmaking facility. Stovall's technical innovations in silkscreen allowed him to achieve painterly effects, with delicate layering and rich, textured color, which pushed the boundaries of the medium. Although he was not a member of the Washington Color School painting movement, his studio was a hub of artistic exchange, collaborating with members like Gene Davis and Sam Gilliam, as well as other national figures like Jacob Lawrence and Alexander Calder. His works, which include vibrant abstractions and sensitive depictions of nature, are held in collections across the city, including the National Gallery of Art and The Phillips Collection