Augusta Savage was an acclaimed sculptor who was also one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as an influential activist and arts educator
"I have created nothing really beautiful, really lasting, but if I can inspire one of these youngsters to develop the talent I know they possess, then my monument will be in their work."—T. R.
The African-American artist Augusta Savage was born in Florida during a leap year on February 29, 1892. Her earliest memories were of the heavy rains and making ducks and chickens from the wet red clay out in the yard. She decided early to become an artist but her father, a strict Methodist minister, tried to whip this dream out of her. He sometimes beat her four or five times a week. It didn’t work. Augusta was determined to go her own way. The options for most poor girls at the turn of the last century was go to work, get married and have kids. Augusta married at the age of fifteen in 1907 and gave birth to her only child, Irene, a year later. Not long after this, her husband died. Augusta then got hitched to a carpenter by the name of James Savage. The marriage lasted until the early 1920s when the couple divorced. Augusta liked the surname so decided to keep it. With marriage and a baby to look after, Savage didn’t manage take up sculpting again until 1919 when a local sculptor gave her some clay. She knew she had talent but how much she wasn’t sure....
By Jann Haynes Gilmore, PhD, AWA Board Member Each of these women sculptors struggled with poverty and were subjected to racial discrimination their entire careers. All were associated with the Harlem Renaissance in New York City in the early 1920s. The paucity of scholarly research on each of them, mostly contemporaries, confirms the obscurity […]
Our article spotlights the extraordinary life and legacy of Augusta Savage, a trailblazing artist whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. As we celebrate Black History Month, we delve into Savage's journey from the clay pits of Florida to the prestigious art salons of Paris, highlighting her role not only as a creator of profound African American art but also as a mentor and advocate for equal rights in the arts. Discover the story behind "Gamin," Savage's most celebrated sculpture, and learn how this piece became a passport for her studies in Europe, where she gained international acclaim. Through her unwavering dedication and resilience, Savage broke barriers for African American artists and paved the way for future generations. Join us as we explore the life of Augusta Savage, whose legacy teaches us the power of art to inspire change, challenge societal norms, and celebrate the richness of African American culture.
Augusta Savage was an acclaimed sculptor who was also one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as an influential activist and arts educator
Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida constitutes the largest exhibit ever organized by the museum and the most comprehensive examination of Savage’s career.
By Jann Haynes Gilmore, PhD, AWA Board Member Each of these women sculptors struggled with poverty and were subjected to racial discrimination their entire careers. All were associated with the Harlem Renaissance in New York City in the early 1920s. The paucity of scholarly research on each of them, mostly contemporaries, confirms the obscurity […]
Images of various potters & sculptors : I've admired the works of the following ceramicists and sculptors, so it was refreshing to research this post and get to see what they actually looked like. I think images of artists have more impact when you see them in their studio environment. latest page → Stig Lindberg - Gustavberg, Sweden Stig Lindberg was one of the leading designers of household items that were accessible to almost everyone in Sweden. His career lasted from about 1937 to 1980 during a 'golden age' for Swedish industrial arts. Toshiko Takaezu Yoshida in studio (Ogaya,
By Jann Haynes Gilmore, PhD, AWA Board Member Each of these women sculptors struggled with poverty and were subjected to racial discrimination their entire careers. All were associated with the Harlem Renaissance in New York City in the early 1920s. The paucity of scholarly research on each of them, mostly contemporaries, confirms the obscurity […]
Augusta Savage (February 29, 1892 – March 27, 1962) was an outstanding sculptor associated with the intellectual and cultural awakening known as the Harlem Renaissance. She overcame poverty, racism, and discrimination in pursuit of her goals. Creating new visions of black identity in her work, she was also an activist, campaigning for equal rights for African
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Augusta Savage was arguably the most influential American artist of the 1930s. A gifted sculptor, Savage was commissioned to create a portrait bust of W. E. B. Du Bois for the New York Public Library. She flourished during the Harlem Renaissance, and became a teacher to an entire generation of African American artists, including Jacob Lawrence, and would go on to be nationally recognized as one of the featured artists at the 1939 World's Fair. She was the first-ever recorded Black gallerist. After being denied an artists' fellowship abroad on the basis of race, Augusta Savage worked to advance equal rights in the arts. And yet popular history has forgotten her name. Deftly written and brimming with photographs of Savage's stunning sculpture, this is an important portrait of an exceptional artists who, despite the limitations she faced, was compelled to forge a life through art and creativity. Title: Awesome Dog 5000 vs. The Kitty-Cat Cyber Squad (Awesome Dog 5000, Bk. 3) Author: Dean, Justin Publisher: Random House Children's Books Category: Tweens Fiction Binding: Hardcover Subject: Action & Adventure Collection: Concepts, Celebrations & Lifestyle Reading Age: 10 - 12 years No. Of Pages: 128 pages Langauage: English ISBN-13: 9780316298025 # Amazon Reviews: 14 Amazon Ranking Category 1: Women in History for Young Adults Amazon Ranking Category 2: U.S. History for Young Adults Amazon Ranking Category 3: Biographies of Women for Young Adults