Jacob Lawrence (b. Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1917 - 2000) is a painter renowned for his themes focusing on the history, daily life and struggles of African Americans. Lawrence studied at the Harlem Art Workshop, Pratt Institute, and earned an honorary fine arts degree from the University of the District of Columbia. He taught at Black Mountain College in North Carolina, Pratt Institute and University of Washington- Seattle. On the Way was commissioned to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Smithsonian's Resident Associate Program in 1990. This brilliantly colored work depicts an ambiguous scene of an outdoor space or a museum gallery.