I'm a bit late keeping up with my new blog. But hope to post when I create a new project or find something really interesting to share.
My favorite lesson this month was to introduce children to the artist Edmonia Lewis. She is a Ojibwe/African American sculptor. Edmonia is an example of an accomplished artist of color, who was left out of the history books!
(BONUS:The projects we start in February can easily carry on to March: Women's History Month!)
Let me introduce you to Edmonia, her life story is definitely worthy of a Hollywood film. I'll give you a brief out line...
Her parents died when she was only 9 years old, she was raised by her Ojibwe Aunty near Niagara Falls. Her brother was 21 when this happened and he set off to take part in the gold rush. He supported her in every way, sending monies home for her education. Her Aunty taught her how to make beautiful baskets, moccasins and other items that they would sell to tourists and resorts at Niagara Falls.
She attended Oberlin College and started out a gifted and high achieving student. This may have caused tension and a bit of jealousy. A poisoning incident happened that was out of her control, but she was blamed for it as an attempted murder! The locals beat her severely and left her for dead in the nearby woods. I am sure you can guess why she was the scape-goat and such an easy target. Fortunately a search group found her severely beaten body and she survived. She was exonerated of the crime by the lawyer John Mercer Langston! She continued her studies but was once again accused of a crime she did not commit: stealing art supplies! Oberlin did not let her finish or graduate, even though charges were dismissed.
Side note: Oberlin started to claim her an alumni when her work became well known.... and in modern times they opened "The Edmonia Lewis Center for Women and Trans-Gender People". Isn't is ironic?
Her friend Frederic Douglas (yes thee FD) advised her to head to the East Coast. There she met like-minded artists and began a serious career as a sculptor. As her skills and reputation grew she opened her own studio. She eventually traveled to Italy, the only place for serious sculptors to study! While there she met many more artists and creatives, thriving and living her dream! Her body of work is impressive and a statement to the times she lived through.
Several of her pieces have survived, but many are lost to time. It is believed that she died in Rome, but the date and place is unknown.
Remember the world was run by white men during her life-time. Just think how much she accomplished despite the conditions in the US and the impact of the Emancipation.
She my #1 person I would choose to have a dinner and discussion with. What an extraordinary woman!
Check out my lesson on sculpture to share her amazing journey with your students! Google her, there is a lot more info out there now. When I taught this lesson 10 years ago, it was not easy to find! I recently revised a few details and I update my lessons as I learn more!
Click HERE to see the lesson at my TPT store.
Be well, Be Creative!
Kim
#Black History Month
#Edmonia Lewis
#Women's History Month
#Native American Artists
My favorite lesson this month was to introduce children to the artist Edmonia Lewis. She is a Ojibwe/African American sculptor. Edmonia is an example of an accomplished artist of color, who was left out of the history books!
(BONUS:The projects we start in February can easily carry on to March: Women's History Month!)
Let me introduce you to Edmonia, her life story is definitely worthy of a Hollywood film. I'll give you a brief out line...
Her parents died when she was only 9 years old, she was raised by her Ojibwe Aunty near Niagara Falls. Her brother was 21 when this happened and he set off to take part in the gold rush. He supported her in every way, sending monies home for her education. Her Aunty taught her how to make beautiful baskets, moccasins and other items that they would sell to tourists and resorts at Niagara Falls.
She attended Oberlin College and started out a gifted and high achieving student. This may have caused tension and a bit of jealousy. A poisoning incident happened that was out of her control, but she was blamed for it as an attempted murder! The locals beat her severely and left her for dead in the nearby woods. I am sure you can guess why she was the scape-goat and such an easy target. Fortunately a search group found her severely beaten body and she survived. She was exonerated of the crime by the lawyer John Mercer Langston! She continued her studies but was once again accused of a crime she did not commit: stealing art supplies! Oberlin did not let her finish or graduate, even though charges were dismissed.
Side note: Oberlin started to claim her an alumni when her work became well known.... and in modern times they opened "The Edmonia Lewis Center for Women and Trans-Gender People". Isn't is ironic?
Her friend Frederic Douglas (yes thee FD) advised her to head to the East Coast. There she met like-minded artists and began a serious career as a sculptor. As her skills and reputation grew she opened her own studio. She eventually traveled to Italy, the only place for serious sculptors to study! While there she met many more artists and creatives, thriving and living her dream! Her body of work is impressive and a statement to the times she lived through.
Several of her pieces have survived, but many are lost to time. It is believed that she died in Rome, but the date and place is unknown.
Remember the world was run by white men during her life-time. Just think how much she accomplished despite the conditions in the US and the impact of the Emancipation.
She my #1 person I would choose to have a dinner and discussion with. What an extraordinary woman!
Check out my lesson on sculpture to share her amazing journey with your students! Google her, there is a lot more info out there now. When I taught this lesson 10 years ago, it was not easy to find! I recently revised a few details and I update my lessons as I learn more!
Click HERE to see the lesson at my TPT store.
Be well, Be Creative!
Kim
#Black History Month
#Edmonia Lewis
#Women's History Month
#Native American Artists
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