Fill My Heart With Hope: Works From The Gordon W. Bailey Collection is an inclusive exhibition featuring exceptional artworks from the collection of the noted Los Angeles-based scholar and collector. Few of the 56 artists received formal training, but most overcame significant obstacles imposed because of their gender, race, disability, religion or socio-economic status. 

“Fill My Heart With Hope is an extraordinary, diverse and impactful exhibition,” said MOCA Executive Director Caitlín Doherty. “We appreciate Mr. Bailey’s decades-long advocacy and we are grateful for his generous support. MOCA is pleased to celebrate our centennial year by sharing the exhibition with our community and shining a light on the contributions of untrained artists within the art historical narrative.”

The expansive exhibition begins on MOCA’s third floor where visitors will see powerful works made by deceased luminaries and carries over to the second floor where more recently created works are displayed.

As American museums seek to become more inclusive, artists lacking formal training will undoubtedly find receptive audiences. Their unbridled creativity and bold expression have and will continue to change how we define contemporary art. MOCA asks viewers to set aside preconceived notions, reconsider historical definitions, and more fully embrace the power of individual expression.

MOCA is honored to present Leroy Almon, Alpha Andrews, Eddie Arning, Aryz, Hope Atkinson, Andrea Badami, Chris Benchetler, David Butler, Brenda Davis, Thornton Dial Sr., Sam Doyle, David Ellis, Minnie Evans, Date Farmers, Roy Ferdinand, Sybil Gibson, Doze Green, Bertha Halozan, Joseph Hardin, Bessie Harvey, Hipkiss, Eric Holmes, Clementine Hunter, Daniel Johnston, Levent Isik, John K. Lawson, Harry Lieberman, Annie Lucas, Charlie Lucas, Mario Mesa, Ruth Mae McCrane, Ike Morgan, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Michael Noland, Samuel Pace, Phillipa Playford, Daniel Pressley, Mary L. Proctor, Lamont “Old Ironsides” Pry, Sarah Rakes, Juanita Rogers, Nellie Mae Rowe, Cher Shaffer, Welmon Sharlhorne, Herbert Singleton, Robert E. Smith, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Sybil Roe Thompson, Mose Tolliver, Myrtle von Damitz III, Rev. Albert Wagner, Willie White, Jane Winkelman and Purvis Young.