Barbara Zuber

Barbara Johnson Zuber was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in New York City. From an early age, she wanted to become a freelance artist. She was the first African-American woman to graduate from Yale University School of Fine Arts with a B.F.A. degree. She also studied at the Arts Students League of New York and New York University.

With her impressive credentials, she set out to achieve her goal. She began a teaching career in New York City neighborhood schools, community centers and at Harlem Hospital in the Child Psychiatry Department. Meanwhile she worked at home and took advantage of opportunities to show her work independently. Her work is described as colorful and poignant testimonies of African-American children and adults in play, worship and social services. Her work has been exhibited both locally and nationally in various public venues and events as well as traveling exhibits and individual showings.

In 1999, New York State commissioned Mrs. Zuber to create a painting for "The Adoption Album: Our Children, Our Families," poster.