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ArtNews reported today that POBA shepherded a never-before-seen original work of Jean Michel Basquiat through the authentication process, overcoming the hurdle of the closure of the Basquiat Committee. After gathering and providing the documentation needed to verify Reeder's provenance of the work, called "Geese ++" POBA identified Richard Polsky as the authenticator most recognized and prepared to determine the authenticity of this work. After extensive review and scrutiny, his decision: no brainer, an unquestionably authentic Basquiat.

Elizabeth Hulings tells about how she came to understand that her life as the daughter of an exceptional working artist who actually made a living as a fine artist was so unusual. Serendipity led Elizabeth to become involved after her father's death in how he had organized his creative life, how she manages his legacy, and how this serves as inspiration and foundation to help today's working artists make a livelihood through art.

The tragedy in Texas reminds us that life comes first, but our lives also need to be rebuilt creatively after a natural disaster. POBA's monthly feature, Creative Futures, is dedicated this month to all to who face salvaging their creative lives and their lives creatively.

Those who inherit creative legacies face the thrill and the daunting challenge of discovering the creativity of the people that they knew as plain folks - family, friends, and neighbors. POBA captures some of the unexpected and exciting experiences 5 very different people have faced in fulfilling the promise of an artist's creative output while living their own lives at the same time. Each made peace with the privilege and the cost of preserving a creative legacy to enrich our creative futures.

NPR Station WFPL reports on how Gene Spatz's sister, Amy Lowen, found herself in the same position as many family members of talented artists: inheriting a collection they did not know existed and do not understand how to handle. “I mean, what do you do with it all,” Lowen asked about thousands of celebrity photos her brother Gene Spatz had taken, including renowned glitterati: Lennon, Warhol, Streisand and many more. She also talks about how a NY Times article on POBA helped her deal with it all.

Horst Trave (1918 – 2012), an influential member of the San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionists, painted thousands of works over 60+ years. While art for Horst was a heady brew of passion, talent, and renewal, his life was a heady mix of adventure and simplicity, woven seamlessly in his artful life.

By popular demand, POBA launches Creative Futures, a new monthly resource round-up of the best resources, tools, and insights that POBA and our partners can offer to keep creative legacies and collections alive. Each month, we will assemble a short topical blog about best ways to ensure that the future is creative.

The family of Gene Spatz wanted to preserve their brother Gene's photos, which captured unique times, moments and people in his distinctively warm and intimate way. Among them were some iconic photos of the Studio 54 scene from the late 1970s, now preserved on POBA. Time.com reported on the collection to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the opening of the disco that captured an era and became a phenomenon.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890 – 1998) penned books, articles and short stories over 80 years that influenced thinking on issues she was passionate about: suffrage and rights of women, racial justice and, most famously, the conservation and restoration of the Florida Everglades. Described as having "a tongue like a switchblade and the moral authority to embarrass" high officials, she became a force to reckon with all the while being a great read every time she published.

Tennessee is a state of many slogans, renowned spirits, and outstanding folks musicians, including the inimitable BB King, Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe, for starters. In collaboration with the Tennessee Arts Commission, POBA will bring you remarkable musical performances by the Volunteer States' honored - and sometimes lesser known - "folk" musicians. Stayed tuned to POBA for some classic Tennessee ear candy.