Mississippi State's School of Architecture and the African American Studies Program are celebrating Black History Month with an exhibition of "The Work of Philip Freelon."

Free and open to all, the exhibition is open Feb. 3-24 in the Charlotte and Richard McNeel Gallery on the second floor of Giles Hall. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

A Feb. 5 reception will be held at noon in the same location. Admission is free.

One of America’s most influential African American architects, Freelon founded The Freelon Group in Durham, North Carolina, in 1990. Working in North Carolina and throughout the U.S., The Freelon Group became one of the nation’s largest African American-owned architecture firms and earned dozens of national and regional design awards for educational, cultural, library, and health research buildings. 

A central theme of Freelon's work was creating spaces for everyday people. He was known for challenging the status quo, working to bring greater equity and diversity to architecture and business. As a mentor, he encouraged young designers and other professionals to aim high and break through established barriers. 

Freelon died July 9, 2019, at age 66 following a lengthy battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

For more exhibition information, click here or contact the School of Architecture at 662-325-2202.