DOWAGIAC — The bold, intricate works of art that will soon be on display inside the Dowagiac Area History Museum will provide visitors with more than just a feast for the eyes.

They will also share the tales and struggles of the many African Americans who have left their indelible mark on the nation’s history.

The local museum, located at 201 E. Division St., will team up with Dowagiac artist O’Larry Collins for a special exhibit showcasing more than a dozen of his unique wood burning artwork, in commemoration of Black History Month in February. The display, located on the second floor of the downtown institution, will be officially open to the public Tuesday, though Director Steve Arseneau and his team of volunteers are looking to have the exhibit open by Saturday’s Ice Time Festival, he said.

The museum will host a reception for the exhibit from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, where Collins will be in attendance to meet with guests and share more about his artwork. The museum will also offer free refreshments during the event.

The local artist and business owner will stop by the museum to work on his latest piece from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 7 and Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Collins will have a dozen of his original wood burning pieces on display at the exhibit, along with another dozen high-quality prints, which will be displayed inside the glass display in the museum’s second-floor space.

The works will showcase different aspects of African American history, with pieces displaying the exploits of famous black musicians such as B.B. King and Ray Charles, as well as those that depict the struggles of activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. During his days working in the studio, he plans to continue work on his latest piece, a massive wood burning that shows off a trio of African American boxing legends: Joe Lewis, Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali.

Collins, who owns and operates his art studio, Art enah Suit, only a few blocks away from the museum on Front Street, has frequently had his work showcased at art shows and colleges across the region for Black History Month in years past.

“His works are really well renowned in many circles,” Arseneau said. “He definitely had options on where he would like to exhibit this month, but he is excited to have his art on display here, in his hometown. We are quite honored by it, as well.”

“To have my work here in town, at the museum, is great,” Collins said. “It will be nice to show off my art to people here in town.”

Arseneau and Collins have worked together for more than a year to plan for next month’s display, after the museum director approached the artist with the idea of hosting a display for Black History Month after the former stopped by the latter’s art studio, Arseneau said.

While Collins works in a variety of different mediums, he is best known locally for his meticulously detailed wood burning pieces, which he creates using a soldering iron to burn his sketches into a wooden canvas.

“I just really like Larry’s works,” Arseneau said. “It’s really interesting artwork.”

Since announcing the impending opening of the exhibit, the response from museum patrons has been extremely positive, Arseneau said.

“I think it shows how appreciative Dowagiac is to have him in the community, creating this amazing artwork,” Arseneau said.

The gallery will be open through the end of the February. For more information, people may call the museum at (269) 783-2560 or visit dowagiacmuseum.info.