Donald Hilliard Jr. From the Pulpit to the Palette
Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr. seated among his vivid abstract paintings in his studio, beneath the hand-painted words From the Pulpit to the Palette.

From the Pulpit to the Palette — A Retrospective Art Exhibition by Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., D.Min.

The Collection

Art that inspires
and transforms.

Forty original works in oil, acrylic, and mixed media. Select any piece to view it larger — and inquire to discuss acquisition.

40 works

Pricing is shared personally, upon request.

The Story

“Say Yes!”

Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., D.Min., is a servant of God who continues to “Say Yes!” to the Lord’s call on his life — and by doing so has positively affected the lives of thousands with his gift to turn a glimmer of hope into opportunity.

Let Praise Arise — Acrylic, 36 × 48 in, by Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr.
Let Praise Arise · Acrylic, 36 × 48 in

“Say Yes!” is a trademark of Bishop Hilliard, a visionary leader who at the age of 26 became the Senior Pastor of the Historic Second-Baptist Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. Under Dr. Hilliard’s leadership, Second Baptist grew from 125 members in 1983 to 6,000 members today. Now, “One Church in Three Locations,” the Cathedral International has expanded its ministry to three communities in New Jersey: Perth Amboy, Asbury Park and Plainfield.

Consecrated as Bishop in 1995, Dr. Hilliard is the Presiding Bishop and Founder of the Covenant Ecumenical Fellowship and Cathedral Assemblies, Inc. In this role, Bishop Hilliard serves as the spiritual advisor and mentor for several pastors and churches across the United States and West Africa.

Never one to remain stagnant, Bishop Hilliard resurrected a gift that had been dormant for decades when he started painting in 2006 after a life-threatening illness. Bishop Hilliard’s abstract expressionist style explores the world of deep emotional and spiritual connections that has guided his ministry to touch and transform lives around the world.

Dr. Hilliard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern College (now Eastern University), St. Davids, Pennsylvania; the Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ; and the Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, as a Dr. Samuel D. Proctor Fellow. He is also the recipient of various honorary doctoral degrees and numerous awards for his community service around the world.

Most know Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr. as a profound leader in the Christian Church, but he also hones a practice in abstract expressionism in his home studio. He began painting in 2006 and has built an enthusiastic following of collectors who are energized by the subtle symbolism in his work.

Hilliard’s work is designed to uplift, motivate and encourage self-reflection. That’s because his painterly vocabulary, communicated in colors and brushstrokes, somehow tells our stories without the benefit of words. At the core of his work is a vivid understanding of the human condition. Through this collection, we invite viewers to examine the role of faith in their own wellness journey.

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Members today
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Locations, one church
2006
Began painting
1995
Consecrated bishop

In His Words

“Exhibiting art to celebrate Juneteenth is a powerful act of reclaiming the narrative about our resilience and inviting dialogue about our pursuit of cultural identity.”

This exhibition celebrates a significant moment in history and highlights the ongoing contributions of African American artists to our cultural landscape.

Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., D.Min.

Exhibitions

On view.

Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr.’s revealing retrospective exhibition presents collectors and enthusiasts with his journey into the connection between faith and wellness. Each piece is infused with emotion, depth, and the essence of faith — resonating with messages of hope, resilience, and the beauty of the human spirit.

Now on view

Tucker Contemporary Art & Mariposa Museum

Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts

The Fire Fell — Acrylic on canvas, 36 × 24 in, by Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr.

Limited-Edition Prints

Included in this exhibition are six new, limited-edition fine-art prints — printed with archival pigment inks on museum-quality 100% cotton archival fine-art paper for maximum integrity and longevity. The editions are hand numbered, signed by the artist, and come with a signed certificate of authenticity.

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of these prints is donated to the American Heart Association.

Earlier Collections

Bishop Hilliard created his earlier “Let Go, Let Gesture: Abstract Ascension” collection to explore the world of deep emotional and spiritual connections that has guided his ministry to touch and transform lives in the United States, Africa, and Central America. An assortment of oils, acrylic and mixed-media work, Donald’s abstract expressionist style is a fresh interpretation of color, form and context. Designed to inspire self-reflection, “Divine Liturgy in Abstract” is both empowering and encouraging — transcending cultural, political and socio-economic bounds.

For Collectors

A personal
conversation.

Acquiring a work by Bishop Hilliard begins with a conversation, not a transaction. Select a piece, send an inquiry, and a member of the team will reach out personally to discuss pricing, provenance, and placement.

Browse the Collection