Charlotte, NC painter Romare Bearden (1911-1988) was another of HMA's artists who served in WWII. His experience of service was an example of the continuing effects of racial discrimination in the United States, even during war. He joined the United States Army in 1942 and served until 1945 in the (all-black) 372nd Infantry Division of the 15th Regiment.He is pictured in uniform and later with his cat.

Jack Perlmutter was one of the HMA artists who served in World War II, and as such, he was part of the series of 2014 exhibits that celebrated the Museum's 70th anniversary of its founding. His attention-getting self portrait now attracts visitors to the Museum from a billboard on Rt. 40.