Lev T. Mills

Lev T. Mills (1938–2021) was a renowned American artist and printmaker whose contributions to both art and education spanned decades. Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Mills earned his undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University, followed by an MA and MFA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He later pursued advanced studies at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, deepening his engagement with printmaking and modernist traditions.

Mills was best known for his innovative work in printmaking, often exploring abstraction, texture, and cultural memory through a refined visual language. His career as an educator was equally distinguished—he taught at Spelman College for over 30 years, retiring in 2009, and was a deeply respected mentor to generations of artists.

His work has been widely collected and is held in major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, and the British Museum in London.

Among his many accolades are the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching from Spelman College (1991), the James D. Parks Special Award in the Visual Arts (1986), and the Ford Foundation European Study and Travel Fellowship (1970). Mills left behind a legacy of artistic excellence and unwavering commitment to education.