Spanning from the 1920s to the mid 1930s the Harlem Renaissance was a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement that kindled a new black cultural identity. The Harlem Renaissance influenced future generations of black writers, artists, musicians, and intellectuals. Many renowned black writers, artists, and musicians had help give birth to this new movement taking place. One in particular being Augusta Savage. She was an African American artist and arts educator.
She was born Augusta Christine Fells on February 29, 1892,in Green Cove Springs, Florida. As a child began to make art by using the natural clay found in her community. She would sculpt animals and other small objects she could find. Though she loved to sculpt her father greatly disapproved. He tried hi best to stop her from sculpting and focus on something more productive. But despite her father's objections, she continued to make sculptures.
In 1915 after her family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida Savage found it difficult to make sculptures due to the lack of clay. She then started to use other materials from the local potter in order to make sculptures. She then created a group of figures that she entered in a local county fair. Her work was well-received, winning a prize and the support of the fair's organizer, George Graham Currie. He encouraged her to study art.
Savage moved to New York City during the early 1920s to better establish herself as a sculptor. She studied art at Cooper Union College and after one year at school she recieved a full scholarship which helped with living expenses. She excelled tremendously while there, and was able to finish her course work and graduate in three years instead of four.
In 1923, while still attending Cooper Union College, Savage had applied to a special summer program to study art in France, but was rejected because of her race. Outraged,