Aviva speaks at Politics and Prose Rosenwald event
On Sunday afternoon, July 14, producer and director Aviva Kempner joined art historian and curator Dr. Jeffreen M. Hayes at Politics and Prose to discuss talented Harlem Renaissance artist Augusta Savage on the occasion of the publication of Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman by Dr. Hayes.
Kempner started the program by showing the bonus feature on Augusta Savage that is among the four of half hours of new material on the Rosenwald DVD.
Dr. Hayes mentioned Augusta Savage had not received the recognition she deserved both as an artist and a teacher. Dr. Hayes had curated a traveling exhibit on Savage that is now exhibited in New York at the New-York Historical Society. Hayes talked about the importance of putting together the book with archival material from Savage’s life.
Dr. Jeffreen M. Hayes autographs copies of her book, Augusta Savage:Renaissance Woman for fans after the event
Dr. Hayes noted that Americans are finally learning about Savage–a sculptor, activist, and leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance–who co-founded the Harlem Artists’ Guild and became the first director of the federally-supported Harlem Community Art Center. With funds from the Rosenwald Foundation and the Julius Rosenwald Fund, Augusta Savage was able to study at leading Paris art school Académie de la Grande Chaumière for a year, aiding her success. In front of a full audience, Kempner and Dr. Hayes discussed Augusta Savage’s success and impact.
In the audience was NPR commentator Susan Stamberg who alerted the audience on her upcoming show highlighting Savage’s work in a commentary the next morning. Check it out here
