The wooden canvases of the pieces hanging on the walls of Dowagiac artist O’Larry Collins’ studio contain more than intricately etched depictions of famous figures from U.S. history.

They also help tell the story of the struggles and hardships that African-Americans faced throughout the 1900s, from facing segregation due to Jim Crow laws to fighting for equal rights during the civil rights movement.

On Friday, Collins took a moment to glance at one of the giant wood-burned artwork hanging on the brick back wall of his downtown shop, which depicts many of the trials African-Americans faced in their fight for equality. He pointed out a sketch he had done based off a photo of famous civil rights activist Rosa Parks being booked in jail after refusing to follow the law and move to the back of the bus because of her skin color.

“Can you imagine what it feels like to be arrested for simply not sitting where other people think you should,” Collins said.

The Dowagiac artist and business owner is hoping to share Parks’ story and many others in commemoration of Black History Month.

Beginning Friday through the end of February, Collins will have several of his pieces depicting black history on display inside his studio, Art enah Suit, located at 135 Front St. Each work of art will have a short caption that will describe the figures and events depicted in each work.

Collins will also be working on a new piece, showing legendary African-American boxers Joe Lewis, Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali, throughout the month inside the studio, he said.

Collins, who also owns Creekside Greenhouse in Dowagiac and sells vintage clothing inside his studio, has been an artist for nearly 40 years, he said. While he has worked in many different styles, his trademark medium has been wood burning, where he uses a soldering iron to burn his sketches into wooden backdrops.

While the subject of pieces vary, from wildlife to cityscapes to old wooden barns, he has always been enamored with capturing people and events from African-American history — due in part to the fact he was a victim of segregation during his early years growing up in Mississippi, he said.

“Black art is beautiful,” Collins said. “You can see the struggle in the art, especially during the 1930s.”

Over the years, Collins’ dedication to the subject captured the attention of many area galleries and colleges, who have routinely featured his art in exhibits during Black History Month. This year, though, he has decided to keep his pieces close to home, showing them off inside his studio.

Collins has learned a lot about black history through creating his works of art over the years, and hopes a bit of that knowledge will be imparted on those who stop by to view his pieces later this month, he said.

“It is educational to everyone,” he said. “A lot of people do not know everything [African-Americans] went through.”

Art enah Suit is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.