Samuel Louis Nicely (American/ East Tennessee, 1947-2015) painted and framed stoneware plaque depicting an African Mask, against an orange background. Float mounted on a mat in an ebonized frame with gilt edges. Signed on mat and additionally en verso of frame. Plaque: 7" x 5". Frame - 11" x 9 1/2". Biography (from the Reece Museum, East Tennessee State University): "Samuel Louis Nicely (1947 - 2015) was an artist and educator who embraced his cultural heritage as an African American man from Appalachia. Born in Russellville, Tennessee, he developed a love for the arts at an early age and went on to earn a B.S. in art education from Middle Tennessee State University and to study at The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg. Nicely co-founded the From Africa to Appalachian Foundation and was the Artist in Residence at the Reece Museum in 2014." His works are in the collections of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Fisk University, Georgia State University, and the Reece Museum. Plaque: Excellent condition. Mat has some very subtle, minor scratching/wear to left side of plaque. Foxing verso of backing board.