February is Black History Month, which is a perfect time to celebrate the many influential black artists of the past and present. Here are some Black History Month art lesson ideas. These are some of my favorite black artists with a brief introduction of their work and suggestions for art lessons that relate to them. I like to provide my students with knowledge and influence of artists of all genders, races, religions, genres and styles. I think it is important for my students to see themselves in the faces of the artists we investigate. Elementary-geared lessons are first, with lessons for older students at the end.
Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold, aka “Faith Willi Jones” was born in Harlem, NY. She was always politically involved in fighting for the equality of women and black rights issues. She is most known for storytelling and textile arts. Ringgold took the traditional craft of quilt making (which has its roots in the slave culture of the south) and used it to tell stories of her life and the black community. She also wrote a book, “Tar Beach” which pictures many of her story quilts.
Ringgold’s artwork is full of patterns, shapes, lines and textures. Her artwork can be connected to many art making techniques and concepts. Possible art lessons can focus on textures (both tactile with texture rubbings and implied) and creating patterns with lines and shapes. Other options include storytelling or narrative art and textile arts such as, sewing, applique, or weaving.
Jacob Lawrence
Jacob Lawrence was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. For most of the 70’s-80’s he was a professor of art at the University of Washington at Seattle. When he wasn’t teaching he was painting. He had a very distinct style of realism that portrayed scenes and landscapes of African American life and history. Later in his career, he began to use his painting as a platform to educate others on the struggles of African Americans during the era of desegregation with very powerful imagery.
After viewing Lawrence’s paintings, students can create their own painting that has a powerful message they can share with an audience. Another art lesson idea is to create a landscape that demonstrates space using size to show distance. This includes learning about the properties of a landscape (foreground, middle ground, background and horizon line).
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in Brooklyn, New York where he continued to live for his short life of 28 years. His expressive paintings included African American historical figures, including jazz musicians, sports personalities, and writers. He was an Abstract Expressionist and his style was shaped by his history, both urban and ethnic. Basquiat depicted much of his subject matter through symbolism.
His artwork is a great way to introduce students to the idea of a personal style. Students can learn the difference between realistic, abstract and non-objective art. Then they can create a work of art where they can develop their own personal style. Portraiture and symbolism can also be explored while creating an artwork inspired by the artwork of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Romare Bearden
Romare Howard Bearden was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is best known for his collages, which he created largely from painted paper, magazine clippings, and bits of fabric. Bearden was also a songwriter and book illustrator. Therefore, music is a very common theme in his work, in addition to the theme of ritual and family.
Bearden’s artwork can be inspiration for collage lessons using mixed media, such as fabric, magazines, painted paper and newspaper. Music is another great connection to his work. So other Black History Month art lesson ideas could include drawing musical instruments or creating a work of art with visual beat or rhythm.
Lois Mailou Jones
Lois Mailou Jones was born in Boston, MA in 1905. In the early 1930’s, Jones’s art reflected the influences of African traditions. She traveled to Africa for inspiration and began including African masks in her paintings as a result of her trip to Africa. Lois Mailou Jones struggled with intersectionality, being a black female artist, but she found ways to get her artwork into galleries. She felt that her greatest contribution to the art world was “proof of the talent of black artists.”
Her paintings can make a great segue to a plaster mask unit, a functional vs. non-functional art lesson, or drawing masks. She used vivid colors and unity throughout her artwork. Therefore, color theory, color mixing and color schemes or color wheel creation are all good art lessons that can relate to her work. Students can also study the patterns she created in her artwork and create a non-objective work of art with shapes, pattern and unity.
Alma Thomas
Alma Thomas was born in 1891 in Columbus, Georgia. Thomas was the first student to graduate with a fine arts degree from Howard University. She was an art teacher for junior high school students for over three decades. Later in life, she spent more time painting and was the first African-American woman to hold a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Alma Thomas is probably most known for her use of color in her non-objective paintings. Students can create a painting using a limited color palette and make patterns with colors using dashes of color on paper. Students can also use torn paper strips to make a collage with concentric circles or stripes of colorful patterns. Lastly, students can use her paintings as an inspiration when creating a mosaic of tiles, paper scraps, foam shapes, buttons or all of the above.
Here’s a few lesson ideas I’ve used that are specifically for older elementary or middle school students.
Basquiat Inspired Abstract Expressionism
I teach students how Basquiat used his artwork to make a statement about his personal journey and society. Then they create an abstract expressionist painting that uses creativity to express self through symbolism, subject matter and color while learning about the elements of art and principles of design: contrast, line, texture, shape and unity. Click here for more information.
Micrography Portraits of Influential African Americans
I use this lesson to teach students about micrography, Phil Hansen and influential African Americans. I teach students how to use micrography to create value while creating a portrait of an influential African American from our history. Includes 29 ready to print images for portraits. More information is available here.
Lorna Simpson Hair Portraits
I teach this collage and drawing art lesson to teach students about Lorna Simpson and how she uses her artwork to make a statement about hair discrimination. Students create a magazine collage, as well as learn the art of Zentangles. This is a great elementary or middle school art lesson to teach the elements of art and principles of design: contrast, line, pattern and unity. Click here for more information.
Happy creating! – Trista
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