Over 150 pieces of African American artwork valued at over $175,000 can be seen in Ohio State’s Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center.’This is probably one of the largest collections for a black cultural center in the country,’ said Larry Williamson, the director of the Hale Black Cultural Center.The artwork displayed has been donated, is on loan temporarily or on permanent loan for viewers at the galleries.The gallery areas of the Black Cultural Center are named after two famous African American artists, Richmond Barthe and Elijah Pierce. These galleries consist of paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs from nationally recognized artists. Most of these are local artists.’Each piece in these galleries have historic representation and tell a story,’ Williamson said.Walt Neil, Charles Hollingsworth, Robert Farmer and E. Okechukwu Odita, an art professor at Ohio State, are a few of the artists who have either donated or loaned artwork to the center. The Hale Center is displaying many photographs of Beverly Turner, a 19th century photographer of African American abolitionists who have made substantial contributions in history, Williamson said.Smoky Brown, a photographer whose photographs are his rehabilitation for his alcoholism, has donated a few of his pieces, Williamson said. The Hale Center is also displaying artwork of Jerry Bell, a senior majoring in art at Ohio State.Traditional artifacts indigenous to Africa, the Caribbean, and South America donated by Dr. Samella Lewis, the first African American and woman to receive a Ph.D from Ohio State, are a part of the center’s permanent collection.The Hale Center usually changes exhibits quarterly, Williamson said.’Many art classes at Ohio State tour the center also,’ said Jillian Stout, a junior in Art Education. ‘We are fortunate to have the exhibits here on campus.’The center is open to the public with free admission. The exhibits can be seen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, daily.