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[Redacted] June 23, 1988
Dear Mr. Driskell, I would like to thank you for your beautiful presentation you gave on the first day of the Black Aesthetic Conference. I felt the information given was valuable and I intend to do my part in impacting change in Art Education. I have been an art teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools for nine years at the elementary level. Several summers ago I was fortunate enough to participate in writing curriculum for our gifted program tapestry on Afro-African Art. This summer I applied to write curriculum in conjunction with the interrelated arts team with regard to Black Culture. I have been accepted and am writing at this time to enlist your help and support. I would like to (?) your theme, "A Reminiscent Approach to the History of Art" in the writing of this curriculum. My feeling is that all children would benefit from knowing about four major topics in
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regard to Black Culture which Deserve in depth focus. These topics are: 1) The evolution of Craftsmanship by Black Artistans in Colonial America (exploration into gospel music as an important aspect) 2) The migration of the Black from field to factory. 3) The Harlem Renaissance and the creation of Jazz (an original American Art form) 4) Contemporary Black Music and Its impact on society
In applying for the position I had suggested that, as (inserted above: it is) our goal is to present a unit at the elementary school level that will integrate all art forms (dance, music, visual art and drama.), we might create a unit called Songs in the Key of Life". I drew this theme from Stevie Wonder's album which has songs that would compliment the topics I listed above.
The purpose of the unit would be to explore past and present aspects of Black life. I would like to see the end product by the students be a presentation using Stevie Wonder's music and a sharing of inforamtion they have learned through (inserted above: the) various art forms.
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In your presentation you listed these artists as important examples of Black art (from my notes)
--"Head of Ife" 700-800 A.D. --"Head of Obe (Kung) --Picasso (to show he was influenced (copied)) --Joshua Johnston - most sought --Robert Duncanson - a luminist traditionalist --Edward Bannister -- selected for award (at this point you showed paintings of boys in boat) --Edmonia Lewis - statues done in greek style --Henry O Tanner - banjo lesson (you mentioned atmosphere something about black home and the extended family --Meta_________ Fuller - african influence 1902 - "Ethiopia Awakening" "Talking Skull" (you mentioned she married an african who?) --You spoke of Aaron Douglas and cultural emancipation, also social. you spoke of him leading the way, you showed Aspects of Negro Life --Augusta Savage --Edward Scott - went to carribean --Archibald Motley --Richard Barthwaite
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--William Johnson "Swing low sweet Chariot" (you spoke of puttig Blacks in Perspective --Alain Crite Lois Malow Jones James Porter (you spoke of these thru as showing Black life --Jacob Lawrence "Toussaint Overture --Sargent Johnson "Forever Free --Elizabeth Catlett - "Fired" "Forget Practice" --Walter Williams (you then mentioned a brother from South Africa I did not get his mane. --Hallaweena (?) Pindell --Alma Thomas --John Scott (in New Orleans) sculptor --Charles White
Dr. Driskell I need the names of the paintings that these people did and any additional information you can give
One of the best books I ever read on Afro American Art was the "Afro-American Artists" by Elsa Honig Fine. I will never forget in her opening lines the methodological breakdown of Black Artists she gave. She broke down the Black Artists agenda as being: mainstreamists, traditionalists, so forth.
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Are you familiar with this book. Do you think her approach to categorizing Black Artists is correct.
What other avenues could you direct me toward, in regard to sharing information on the other art forms, resources that will help me. I hope to attend graduate school one day.
Dr. Driskell it would be a honor and a privilege to meet you one day. If you ever come to Frederick, please come and fellowship with my family.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Debra Jean Ambush (Home #) [redacted]
P.S.
We are to meet July 11, 1988 to July 15, 1988 to write this curriculum. I know one week is not enough, but its a start!
