Evansville artist's portrait of civil rights leader is displayed at Regents Award ceremony

In 2018, Evansville artist John House, Crown Studio, created a portrait of Dr. Josie Johnson – a pioneering civil rights leader who helped break down barriers for women and people of color.

On March 13, 2023, Johnson received the University of Minnesota’s prestigious “Regents Award” – and House’s portrait was displayed front and center during the award presentation. The ceremony took place at the McNamara Alumni Center at the University of Minnesota.

The Regents Award is one of the highest honors the University of Minnesota bestows.

In an October 19, 2018 Echo Press feature story, House described what Johnson was like.

"She's just a beautiful human being," House said. "The South was defeated in the Civil War, but, of course, attitudes change slowly. So slavery was abolished, but rotten treatment wasn't abolished. She was a workhorse in resisting mistreatment. She really was."

Pete Rhodes / Contributed photo

To see a story about the award presentation, go to YouTube and search “U of M Honors Civil Rights Leader and Activist Dr. Josie Johnson with Regents Award.”