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The Pittsburgh Penguins honored the legacy of the organization’s Black players and veteran Black hockey player Willie O’Ree with a portrait by Pittsburgh visual artist Ashanté Josey after the Feb. 4 game against the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena.
Josey painted “Legacy on Ice” in oil and acrylic on canvas. It features Penguins player number 73, Pierre-Olivier Joseph (P.O Joseph) and O’Ree. Both players were painted in greyscale, set against a sunny yellow background on canvas.
O’Ree is 89 years old and played for the Quebec Hockey League and Boston Bruins.
The painting appears as realistic as a photograph. It was signed by Joseph and will be auctioned off — though Joseph said he was petitioning to be the highest bidder.
“It’s unreal,” Joseph said. “I feel like I don’t even deserve this, but to see it is phenomenal.”
Joseph had the opportunity to meet O’Ree and said the Black hockey veteran is the reason why other Black players have the opportunity to play.
“It’s hard to put into words. I am grateful … I am trying my best out there,” Joseph said.
The annual Black Hockey History Game included the singing of the national anthem by vocalist Anita Levels, a music set by local DJ Arie Cole and a performance by the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church Choir.
“It is critical that Pittsburgh institutions, especially now with the assault on inclusive initiatives, use their platform to spotlight incredibly talented local artists, particularly Black women,” said Quincy Swatson of Kofi Collections, which partnered with the Penguins and commissioned Josey for the artwork.
For Josey, the process of creating the portrait allowed her to study the subjects, taking different photos of both players to replicate their mannerisms and likenesses.
“This piece captures the connection between past and present and the legacy in hockey,” she said.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation are excited to collaborate and partner with Kofi Collections to showcase Ashanté’s incredible artwork of legend Willie O’Ree and current Penguins defenseman P.O Joseph, sharing the history of Black excellence and resiliency in the sport of hockey,” said Darya Snoznik, senior manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. “Highlighting this work not only during the Black Hockey History Game, but every day, is important as it ties the spirit and rich history of the Black community here in Pittsburgh.”
Many prominent Black people from across the Pittsburgh community attended Tuesday night’s game.
The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation also created the Willie O’Ree Academy to bring more opportunities to young Black hockey players.
Danté Beasley, Josey’s sister, reflected on her work.
“It is so nice to be able to watch the growth of her artistry, to see the realism and detail. Giving it such a bright background made it special. I am so proud of her and what she is doing for the city of Pittsburgh and Black History Month,” Beasley said.
Shaylah Brown is a TribLive reporter covering art, culture and communities of color. A New Jersey native, she joined the Trib in 2023. When she’s not working, Shaylah dives into the worlds of art, wellness and the latest romance novels. She can be reached at sbrown@triblive.com.
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