African American Art for Kids
Discover the incredible artists who paint, sculpt, and create beauty!
Hey friends, Emeka here! Today we're exploring the colorful, amazing world of African American art! Art is how people express their feelings, tell stories, and show the world how beautiful life can be. African American artists have created some of the most powerful and beautiful art in the world. From paintings and sculptures to quilts and murals, Black artists have used their creativity to celebrate our culture, fight for justice, and inspire everyone. Art isn't just paintings in a museum ��� it's everywhere! It's in the murals on buildings, the quilts on our beds, the fashion we wear, and even the way we style our hair. Let's meet some incredible artists and see the amazing things they created!
Fun facts about African American Art
- African American art goes back thousands of years to the ancient art of Africa, including cave paintings, wood carvings, and beautiful bronze sculptures!
- The quilts of Gee's Bend, Alabama were displayed at the Whitney Museum in New York City! Art experts called them 'some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.'
- Augusta Savage's sculpture 'The Harp' was 16 feet tall! Sadly, it was destroyed after the World's Fair because there was no money to move it, but photos of it still inspire artists today.
- Jacob Lawrence was only 23 years old when he painted 'The Migration Series' — all 60 panels! He finished them in about a year working in his small apartment.
- Faith Ringgold's children's book 'Tar Beach' won a Caldecott Honor and is read by kids all over the world! It started as a painted story quilt.
What your child will learn
- Learn about famous African American artists
- Discover different types of Black art from quilts to murals
- Understand how art tells our stories and celebrates our culture
Read the full illustrated story of African American Art
The complete lesson has a page-by-page illustrated story and a playful quiz— plus 28 more heroes and hundreds of lessons. Start free, no card needed.
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