Emerson Burkhart was born near Kalida, Ohio in 1905. He studied at the Art Student's League and then went to Provincetown where he took instruction from Charles Hawthorne. In 1931 he returned to the Midwest and taught at the Columbus, Ohio School of Art. He was an early member of the Ohio Art League.

He was primarily an American Scene painter, although he painted in both impressionist and post-impressionist styles. He documented African-American Life in Columbus that recalls the canvases of Ivan Le Lorraine Albright. He received two WPA mural commissions and after the death of his wife traveled as Artist in Residence for the American International School.

Exhibition note:
His work was represe...