Where is the African-American Art in the teaching system? By Jonathan Wright 1st Year Graduate Printmaking

African-American Art African-American Art is a broad term describing the visual arts of the black community. Influenced by various cultural traditions, including those of Africa, Europe and the Americans, traditional African- American art forms include the range of plastic arts, from basket weaving, pottery, and quilting to woodcarving and painting.

Antebellum and Civil War era During the period between the 17th Century and the early 19th Century art took the form of small drums, quilts, wrought-iron figures and ceramic vessels in the southern United States. Many Slaves arrived from Africa as skilled artisans, having worked in these or similar media in Africa. Others learned their trades or crafts as apprentices to African or white skilled workers. Slave owners hired out skilled artisans, which those slaves raised enough money to purchase their, and their families freedom. Slaves utilized quilt blocks to alert others slaves about escape plans during the time of the Underground Railroad. Quilting remains alive as a form of artistic expression in the African-American Community.

Quilt Code used by the slaves

Antebellum and Civil War era Artist Patrick H. Reason -Engraver -Lithographer Harriet Powers Quilting

Post-Civil War After the Civil War, African Americans Artwork were accepted in exhibitions and museums The works were mostly that of the European romance and Classical traditions of landscapes and portraits Racial boundaries were eased within America's big cities, including Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, New York, and New Orleans. In Europe the artist could express more freedom, and experimentation and education concerning techniques outside traditional western art.

Post-Civil War Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller -Multi-talented Artist -Poetry -Painter -Sculptor Henry Ossawa Tanner -Painter

Harlem Renaissance to contemporary Art One of the most Notable movements in African-American art. William E . Harmon established the Harmon Foundation which patrons art for the artist. He sponsored them through his Harmon Award and annual exhibitions. President Roosevelt created the Work Progress Administration (WPA) which provided and helped the artist through the Great Depression. In 1935 Artist of WPA formed the Harlem Artist Guild, which developed community art facilities in major cities.

Harlem Renaissance Artist Palmer Hayden -Painter -Depicted African-American Life, Landscape, Seascapes, African Influences Hale Woodruff -Painter -Known for his murals

Mid-20th Century In the 1950’s and 60’s 26 African-Amirian landscape artist from Fort Peirce, Florida formed a group named the Highwaymen, Which they sold about 200,00 pieces of Florida landscape out the trunks of their cars. After World War 2 some artist worked and exhibited aboard in Paris. Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s and 70’s led artist to capture and express the times. 80’s and 90’s, hip hop graffiti became predominate in urban communities.

20th Century Artist Romare Bearden -Painter -Printmaker Kara Elizabeth Walker -Painter -Room Size tableaux of black cut-paper silhouettes.

My Experience Didn't’t hear to much about African-American artist growing up in the public school system. Mostly European artist. Wasn’t a lot of time speaking on the African-American Artist Couldn’t take the class in my undergrad years. Class only offered every other spring semester.

My Goals as a artist and Educator Goals as and teacher is to teach African-American art and History that is not taught in books. To bring more awareness to African-American Artist bell hooks teaching mentality on bring awareness to the teaching system.

Progressive, holistic education, “engaged pedagogy” is more demanding that conventional critical or feminist pedagogy. For, unlike these two teaching practices, it emphasizes well-being. That means that teachers must be actively involved committed to a process of self-actualization that promotes their own well-being if they are to teach in a manner that empowers students. (hooks 1994: 15)

Interviews Bernard Young; Professor- Art Education Steven Marc Smith; Professor- Photography