April Harris

April Harris is the President/Founder of the Black Arts Council of Racine, which is only the second black arts council in the United States. BACR is a nonprofit organization that promotes, highlights and inspires African American artists as well as provides a platform for cultural enrichment activities for individuals and families. She also owns an art studio, Art By April Unlimited, located in downtown Racine. Art By April Unlimited is a Racine Wisconsin based company that specializes in commissioned art, murals, paintings, sketches and other types of art, and offers creative art sessions to children and adults.

Ms. Harris is an award-winning artist and a graduate of Leadership Racine. In 2018 she received an award from the Racine Heritage Committee for Creative Art and Education and nominated for small business of excellence award. She also received a Friend of Education award from Phi Delta Kapa. Her art has been displayed in numerous art galleries in the southeastern region of Wisconsin, and northeastern IL.

She is also the author and illustrator of YES I CAN Books, created to support children with special needs, disabilities and those who experience challenges in life.

April also is also a Certified Therapeutic Art Life Coach. She says that art has helped her to heal and has brought her out of some dark places in her life and she enjoys using art to assist others in healing as well.

April also serves on the Racine Unified School District board and has been chosen to receive the Racine Community Coalition’s Dr Martin Luther King Award for 2023.

What energizes you as you consider the future of the arts in Wisconsin?

What energies me as I consider the future of the arts in Wisconsin is more recognition now being given to African American artists within the state. This includes poetry, stage as well as visual art. The state of Wisconsin has a rich artistic tradition.

Where can we find your work?

You can find April’s work on her website: https://www.artbyapril.net/