Designed for grades 4 - 12. Representing a variety of styles, materials, and techniques, these works range from the nineteenth century sculpture of Edmonia Lewis to the imaginative works of folk artists Sister Gertrude Morgan and James Hampton. In the twentieth century African American artists such as Sam Gilliam and Alma Thomas continued to participate in mainstream traditions while translating their diverse concerns into the realm of abstract art. The lives of the artists and the creative spirit that motivated each of them are discussed, providing insight into the historical, social, and cultural context of their work. Designed for grades 6 - 12.
Students compare literary texts with their visual counterparts.
Among the sculptures by Paul Manship are many examples of works inspired by Aesop's Fables. The Libyan Sibyl was inspired by an essay by Harriet Beecher Stowe describing the adventures of the escaped slave and abolitionist Sojourner Truth. Designed for grades 6 - 12. By looking at images from different eras, comparing and contrasting artists' interpretations, students acquire insights into the past that provide a better understanding of the present. Discussion focuses on the early settlers and their views of God, nature, man, and the Puritan work ethic.