Artists help us see our world differently. They inspire us. Read about four African-American artists. Who inspires you?
Augusta Savage (1892–1962)
Augusta Savage was a sculptor. She made figures out of clay and other materials. She was also a teacher. She helped younger African-American artists.
Duke Ellington (1899–1974)
Duke Ellington was an important American composer. He wrote more than 3,000 songs. Trumpet player Wynton Marsalis said, “His music sounds like America.”
Kehinde Wiley (1977–present)
Kehinde Wiley paints colorful portraits of people. He was the first African-American artist to paint a president’s portrait. He painted Barack Obama in 2018.
Misty Copeland (1982–present)
Misty Copeland is a well-known dancer. She is a ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She was the first African-American woman at ABT to be chosen as a lead dancer.
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