(Re) Presenting Racism
Genesis of the project-
A curriculum was developed to engage the Carlisle community with the “Horace Pippin, Racism and War”, “Tracing Slavery I: Moses Williams Silhouettes” and “Tracing Slavery II: Kara Walker: Harper’s Illlustrated History of the Civil War, (annotated)” exhibits being held at Trout Gallery, Dickinson College. Heather Flaherty, Curator of Education at the Trout Gallery wrote and secured a grant through the Art Bridges Foundation allowing for the exhibits and project. It was important to utilize the three prominent African American artists to inspire the Carlisle community to articulate and reflect upon our own local stories of historical racism.
Parts of the project:
Cara Curtis of the Cumberland County Historical Society researched and presented the events chosen.
An introductory class on community engaged art to Dickinson College students (Memorial Park, Lincoln Cemetery, silhouettes were created).
Six Sessions at Wilson Middle School and Six Sessions at Lamberton Middle School. In the Empower and Equip Programs at both schools, Brooke Loomis, YWCA Carlisle and Cumberland County, and I presented Horace Pippin’s Mr. Prejudice, his use of red and his ability to tell a story through art. We developed our own Victory Campaigns in Carlisle. Over 100 students participated. (Victory is…. & Our Town projects)
Two free workshops at Trout Gallery (Pippin “From the Heart” wood blocks & silhouettes were created)
A Splash of Red Community Night at Trout Gallery. Over 150 community members attended. (Victory Campaigns)
An Arts Residency at the Carlisle High School to work with six Drawing and Painting I Classes. Each residency consisted of five sessions. Over 120 students participated. Each class chose one local historical event of racism to articulate through silhouettes which were inspired by Kara Walker’s work.
