Nationally recognized Bogalusa (La.) artist Alvin Carter has been busy the past few months.

Known for his unique, distinctive and very colorful paintings and murals, Carter has been working on an art piece for President Barack Obama. Carter will unveil the art piece on Tuesday June 16th at Hayti Heritage Center (804 Old Fayetteville Street) at 10 a.m. It will be on display until 1 p.m.

Carter will be accompanied by Rev. Ron Myers, M.D., Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, who is also in Durham to designate the Annual Durham Juneteenth Celebration, organized by NC State Juneteenth Director Phyllis Coley, as the official North Carolina Juneteenth Celebration. Durham Mayor William "Bill" Bell will make the proclamation at tonight's City Council meeting.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the last slaves were finally freed in Texas. Thirty states, including North Carolina, have since declared Juneteenth a state holiday. And as a U.S. senator from Illinois, Obama co-sponsored legislation to take it nationwide. This year, President Obama is scheduled to take part in the Juneteenth festivities in Washington D.C.

The artwork unveiling and exhibit is part of the weeklong series of events of the 5th Annual North Carolina Juneteenth Celebration & Unity March. The official Celebration will take place in Durham on Saturday, June 20 from 12:00pm - 6:00pm in Forest Hills Park. The event will begin with a march at 11:00 am led by N.C. Juneteenth Celebration Chairman, NC State Rep. Larry D. Hall (D-29th).

As the "national Juneteenth artist," Carter was chosen to render and present a piece called "The President Barack Obama Trail." The work is approximately three feet long and depicts the historic path of African-Americans, from slavery to the White House. On one end, a shackled foot first steps on American soil and the pointed spike of slavery. Events and people, both black and white, who impacted the cause of freedom, are pictured. The profile of Obama, framed by the White House, looks back through time.

"I'm honored to have been chosen to create this masterpiece of art work," said Carter. "I invite everyone to come and view this potentially history-making painting." The event is free and open to the public.

For more information and full listing of events, visit http://www.durhamjuneteenth.com or call (919) 680-0465.