Jacob Lawrence The Studiowith The Migration Series ART HIST RY KIDS
CULTURAL CONTEXT
Artist Faith Ringgold takes us back in time The Harlem Renaissance through the eyes of a child learning all about the The Great Migration brought a large number of African Americans creative community in Harlem. together in the Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem, and resulted in a cultural renaissance that introduced a new style of creativity to the community. From fashion to food, music to dance, literature to art... amazing things were happening around every corner. Extend this month’s study by exploring the Harlem Renaissance in greater depth. There are several books for kids that dive into the Harlem scene and how this vibrant movement influenced the nation. Or, you might get more personal as you read story books or chapter books about some amazing figures from the Harlem Renaissance.
The stories of two legends: dancer Josephine Baker, and singer Florence Mills.
A chapter book about poet Langston Hughes and a historical fiction about a young girl moving from North Carolina to Harlem.
An overview of the Harlem Renaissance and the cultural impact of the movement.
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CONNECTING THE DOTS US History Jacob Lawrence (along with many other artists) were employed by the United States government during the Great Depression.
In an effort to give people jobs, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began the Works Progress Administration. Thousands of artists were paid to make paintings, murals, and sculptures for public buildings. This Federal Art Project gave many artists work at a time when it was difficult to sell art. Together, the artists made more than 100,000 paintings and murals and over 18,000 sculptures. They each earned $23.86 per week, and their supplies were paid for by the WPA. Jacob was part of the easel painting division, and he was required to finish two new paintings every six weeks.
Learn more about the Great Depression, The New Deal, and the Works Progress Administration.
Click the image to watch a video about art that was created for the WPA. Many of these murals and paintings are still on view for the public to see!
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CONNECTING THE DOTS Poetry
The Harlem Renaissance was full of vibrant poetry. Explore the works of Langston Hughes... this book is a collection of poems for young people and there are some wonderful poems to read and memorize!
Click to use the interactive poetry scramble on The Phillips Collection website!
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CONNECTING THE DOTS Geography
The Phillips Collection website has another amazing feature... a map that you can interact with to see migration patterns to different cities during different years. Click to go their website and click around!
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CONNECTING THE DOTS Art
Jacob Lawrence was inspired by art styles he saw in Mexican murals and African sculpture. Click the images to explore more of this type of art.
Diego Rivera, Detroit Industry murals, 1932-33. Photo Credit: quickfix, CC BY-SA 2.0
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NOW IT’S YOUR TURN... This week let’s plan a series of panels.
You have a story to tell! It might be your personal story, a family story, Consider this: or a legend from your ancestors! Think about a narrative you can Things to consider as explore throughout several art panels. You don’t need to make 60 you make your art... panels like Jacob Lawrence did with this series, anything over 3 will be great! The length of your story, and how much detail you include will When creating a series of dictate how many panels you need to paint or draw. artworks like Jacob Lawrence did with The Migration Series, and like you are doing this As you plan out your panels this week, you may want to make quick week, it’s important to think ‘thumbnail’ sketches on index cards or post it notes. This way you can about sequencing and rhythm. play with the sequencing and see your overall series like a storyboard. Next week we’ll paint the series (or begin to paint it) so don’t worry Sequencing is the order of the pieces you have in your about doing too much this week. Just plan and sketch and get your series. How will you arrange ideas solidified in your mind. your story? What will you show first, in the middle, and last? The way you sequence and pace your story is import- ant to the overall feeling of your art series.
Remember how Jacob Lawrence included panels with just scenery, or environ- ment in between panels that feature people? The way he went back and forth from people as the subject, to close ups of places and background scenes creates a kind of rhythm in the series– not unlike a rhythm that you may think about in terms of music. Find interesting ways to create rhythm in your art.
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