FSU Museum Showcases Burt Reynolds' Ernie Barnes Art Collection

12 lithograph prints donated by the late actor and former Seminole football star are on display.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In honor of what would have been Burt Reynolds' 90th birthday, Florida State University's Museum of Fine Arts and the Department of Art History are providing a special look at 12 Ernie Barnes prints donated by the late actor and former Seminole football star. The pieces are part of the museum's permanent collection of over 7,000 works of art.

Why it matters

The donation of these Ernie Barnes prints by Burt Reynolds, a legendary figure within the FSU community, highlights the actor's deep connection to the arts at the university. Reynolds' generosity and dedication to Seminole athletics extended to the arts, including a $600,000 donation to establish the first named chair position within the FSU School of Theatre.

The details

The 12 offset lithograph prints by renowned American artist Ernie Barnes are on display at the College of Fine Arts Dean's Office at the Facility for Arts Research. Art historian Mora J. Beauchamp-Byrd notes that the works reference art historical movements spanning centuries, from 16th century Mannerism to 19th century French realism and the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Barnes, who also played in the American Football League, is known for his celebrated painting 'The Sugar Shack' which appeared in the opening and closing credits of the 1970s sitcom 'Good Times'.

  • In honor of what would have been Burt Reynolds' 90th birthday in 2026.

The players

Burt Reynolds

The late actor and former Florida State Seminole football star who donated the Ernie Barnes prints to the FSU Museum of Fine Arts.

Ernie Barnes

The renowned American artist whose 12 offset lithograph prints were donated to the FSU Museum of Fine Arts by Burt Reynolds. Barnes played in the American Football League and was named the official artist of the AFL in 1965.

Kaylee Spencer

The director of the FSU Museum of Fine Arts.

Mora J. Beauchamp-Byrd

The associate professor and director of the Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies Program in the FSU Department of Art History.

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What they’re saying

“By contributing this portfolio of lithographs to MoFA, Reynolds made a lasting impact on FSU and the Tallahassee community. We're honored to have these prints as part of our collection. They serve as vital examples of Barnes' work and 20th-century American art for generations to come.”

— Kaylee Spencer, Director, FSU Museum of Fine Arts

“In Barnes' work, you can see influence from the Mannerists of the 16th century through 19th-century French realism, through American social realism of the 1930s and the Black Arts Movement of the '60s and '70s. As an art historian, I am intrigued by these art historical references in his work, and we are so excited about Barnes's inclusion in MoFA's collection here at FSU.”

— Mora J. Beauchamp-Byrd, Associate Professor and Director, Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies Program, FSU Department of Art History

What’s next

The museum plans to host a special exhibition and events to celebrate the Ernie Barnes prints and Burt Reynolds' legacy at FSU in the coming year.

The takeaway

Burt Reynolds' donation of the Ernie Barnes print collection to the FSU Museum of Fine Arts not only honors the late actor's deep connection to the university, but also shines a light on the influential work of Barnes, whose paintings captured important moments in American history and culture after the civil rights movement.