Chicago State University

Veteran Chicago-based artist, Al Tyler presents his original paintings, prints and drawings in a solo exhibition at Chicago State University. 

In 1956 Tyler graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Immediately following his graduation he fulfilled a two-year commitment with the United States Marine Corps serving as staff artist in the 1st Marine Division Safety Office. After resuming civilian life as a staff artist at S.M. Edison Chemical Company, Tyler was encouraged by his high school art teacher Cornelius Johnson, as well as Margaret Burroughs, founder of the DuSable Museum and Elizabeth Catlett, renowned sculptor, to pursue graduate studies in painting and the fresco technique of mural painting at La Escuela Nacional De Artes Plasticas in Mexico City, Mexico.

Tyler has tapped into many facets of the visual arts. He has co-owned the 353 East Gallery and Afam Gallery, acted as promoter of Gallery at Home Shows with Jose Williams, and served as advisor for many art-related projects throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Tyler's work is in many permanent collections including the Dusable Museum of African American History, Chicago, Il., D.C. General Hospital, Washington, D.C., Illinois State Museum, Springfield, Illinois, McCormick Place Convention Complex in Chicago and the Chicago Public Library, Rogers Park branch, the Louis Cunningham Collection, Southfield, Mi., The Dr. Robert Derden Collection of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Il., the Patric McCoy Collection, Chicago, Il., the Pirfirco Williams Collection, Chicago, Il., Soft Sheen Company, Johnson Publishing, Englewood High School, DuSabe High School, Robert Lawrence Academy of Math and Science, and the Chicago History Museum, all in Chicago, Il. His work also is included in the City of Evanston's Civic Center Collection,Evanston, Il. Tyler completed a mural for the Sexton Elementary School,Chicago, Il.

Tyler is included in publications such as the Chicago Art Scene; 250 Years of Afro-American Art, Ebony Magazine, and Tight Little Island, a 2008 history book Tyler illustrated by Rev. Robert Polk, about life in the West Woodlawnneighborhood of Chicago.

The Robert Henry Adams Fine Art Gallery in Chicago represents Mr. Tyler.