Black Artists Through History Lesson 2, Folk Musicians By Painter Romare Howard Bearden - Inspired By The Roosevelt Island March For Justice, Take The Drawing Challenge Says RIRA Youth Committee Chair

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Committee Chair Adib Mansour developed a series of Black Artists Through History Lessons inspired by the June 3 Roosevelt Island March For Justice The first lesson last month was on sculptor Edmonia Lewis.

The second Black Artists Through History Lessons from Mr Mansour is on the painter Romare Howard Bearden.

Black Artists Throught History Part 2, Romare Bearden

According to Mr. Mansour:

Romare Howard Bearden, was an American painter, whose unique collages of photographs and painted paper on canvas depict his take on Black culture in America in a style derived from Cubism. Bearden was active in social and civil rights issues. His art embodies the importance of our cultures; He said: "You should always respect what you are and your culture because if your art is going to mean anything, that is where it comes from.” In her My Hero Blog, Janie from San Diego described Romare’s work "His passion and determination gave people hope that everyone could achieve their goals.”

I too encourage every Roosevelt Island youth to pursue their dreams and make them a reality. Celebrate your culture and make it the foundation of your future. Bearden is an excellent example of how exploration and celebration of one’s culture can influence and drive their artistic work and their future- how can you do this in your own life?

I hope you enjoy this lesson. I would be honored if you take the artistic challenge and send me your painted version of Romare Howard Bearden's work

to my RIRA email: RIRAdib@eartrhlink.net

I would also encourage the youth to email me your thoughts on these wonderful black artists and your opinions on a vision for equality on the island, in this city of ours, and in our country. I would love to engage in a thoughtful discussion of race and equity in art history and theory.

Here's more on the painter Romare Howard Bearden,





sculptor Edmonia Lewis from Black Artists History Lesson 1 and the Coronavirus School Shutdown Art History Lesson Challenges from Mr. Mansour too.

Black Artists Through History Lesson 1, Sculptor Of Oppression, Pride & Courage Edmonia Lewis - Inspired By The Roosevelt Island March For Justice, Take The Drawing Challenge Says RIRA Youth Committee Chair

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Committee Chair Adib Mansour is beginning a series of Black Artists Through History Lessons inspired by the June 3 Roosevelt Island March For Justice that will be appearing on Roosevelt Islander.

According to Mr. Mansour:

Hello everyone,

As a follow up to my pledge as the Chair of RIRA’s Children, Youth & Education Committee I’ve created the first in a series of lessons to cover Black Artists through History. I must confess that before my research I did not know this incredible artist, Edmonia Lewis.

Screenshot From East Tennessee State You Tube Video

I was so captivated by her story, her triumphs and persistence during difficult times of segregation. Through reading her story it is clear that the racism she faced in America as a Black woman and an artist is an unfortunately persistent story that black artists especially Black female-identifying artists still face today, nearly 200 years later.

As Will Smith was recently quoted as saying: “Racism is not getting worse, it is getting filmed.” I hope that these lessons uncover the triumphs in the face of bigotry and educate all of us that we are all part of the change! This is the land of the free and home of the brave, for all off us!!

Please enjoy Edmonia Lewis’ story and internationally renowned art. Take the challenge and draw something from your heritage that inspires you, then email it to me rirAdib@earthlink.net.

Black Artists Throught History


Here's more on the artist Edmonia Lewis.





Also, more Roosevelt Island Coronavirus School Shutdown Art History Lesson Challenges from Mr. Mansour.

Create Your Own Version Of An Angel Playing a Flageolet Painting by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Take The Roosevelt Island Coronavirus School Shutdown Virtual Art History Lesson Challenge

Earlier this month we began a Roosevelt Island Art History Lesson Program developed by Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Committee Chair Adib Mansour. To date, there have been 6 previous lessons.

The Lesson 7 Art History painting for this week focuses on An Angel Playing a Flageolet, by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, 1878

According to Mr. Mansour:

The painting is not only beautiful but it stands at a historical point where a group of artists that called themselves Pre-Raphaelite painters. They wanted to make a stand to go back to the more simple and detailed work of the Italian art of the 1400s. It is elegant and peaceful.

I encourage more people to print the black and white outline from this lesson or any of the previous 6 lessons. Take the challenge of coloring each of the paintings in the same style as the original and email your work to my email: rirAdib@earthlink.net.

Click to download Art History Lesson 7 on An Angel Playing a Flageolet, by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, 1878 prepared by RIRA's Adib Manosur.

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