IT'S GILBERT YOUNG APPRECIATION DAY TODAY JULY 15, 2026!

ATLANTA FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Today, at Atlanta's City Hall, July 15th, 2026 was proclaimed "Gilbert Young Appreciation Day". 

Young, the renowned artist, muralist, lecturer, and community activist, stood before an audience of politicians, dignitaries and community leaders--many of whom have collected Young's work over his seven decades as a professional artist.

As the Proclamation was read, siting just a few of the many accolades Young has received over the years, the artist smiled and said, "This is a great birthday present!"

Gilbert Young will turn 85 on July 27th. 

Though Young has received proclamations and Keys to a number of cities throughout his career, and he does have favorites. "I got a Proclamation and the Key to the city of Cambridge when I was invited to speak at an event for Harvard Law. They used my 'He Ain't Heavy' for the event's program cover and some of the students came up to tell me they'd grown up with my work in their homes," Young said. "Another favorite came from Andy Young when he was Mayor. I got the Proclamaiton and "Gilbert Young Day" and I remember being tickled that both our names were Young!"

Since arriving in Atlanta in 1995, Young has received the Heritage Award for Outstanding Visual Arts (2001) from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York; the Pallet Award for Lifetime Achievement (2004); a Resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives naming him State of Georgia Artist of the Year (2011); the Phoenix Award from the city of Atlanta Mayor’s office for outstanding contributions to the arts (2013); the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Citizen’s Award for outstanding artistic achievement (2015); a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Barack H. Obama Foundation (2019); a Resolution (351) from the Georgia House of Representatives (2021); the Tower of Strength Award from Morris Brown College (2022); the Dr. Ruth Hodges Award for Distinguished Achievement in Art (2022); and the Visionary Black Art & Legacy Award (2026). 

Young is the only artist to paint a portrait of an American President that is signed by the subject. The portrait of Barack Obama is titled “History + Hope = Change.” He was commissioned by the Congressional Club of Washington, DC to create a portrait of Michelle Obama in 2014 that was presented to her during the annual First Lady’s Luncheon.

Monumental murals of Young’s work can be found in Cincinnati and Atlanta including a 4-story installation of Young’s iconic “He Ain’t Heavy” image on Memorial Drive near the Georgia State Capitol. In 2019, his mural on Ralph Davd Abernathy Boulevard in Atlanta received the Atlanta Urban Design Commission Award for Outstanding Works of Public Art.

 Artwork by Young can be seen in movies and on television; on music CD covers; book covers; magazine and in news articles; in galleries throughout the United States and select cities around the world. His work is featured in many private and corporate collections. 

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