Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Calvin Black
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, Calvin Black is described here along with information on his contributions to art through his work with his wife, Ruby Black, in doll making.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Ruby Black
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, Ruby Black is described here along with information on her contributions to art through her work with husband Calvin black in doll making procedures.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: John Baldessari
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, this site provides brief biographical information on John Baldessari in addition to a link to view "Black Dice," a work of Baldessari's at the museum.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Sam Francis
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, this site provides biographical information on Sam Francis in addition to an extensive listing of his works as displayed at the museum.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Romaine Brooks
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, Romaine Brooks is described here along with information on her contributions to art through her use of a basic palette (black, white, and grays) and her own self-portrait.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes
If you are looking for biographical information on Langston Hughes and/or excerpts and reviews of his work, this site is a bonanza! The table of contents makes it easy to click to the section you want.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Associated with the PBS program, this site contains a biography, a career timeline, video interviews with some of Poitier's fellow actors and an interview with the director of the PBS special. This site provides an in-depth look at the...
Other
Maria Martinez Biography
Read about Maria Martinez and her amazing life accomplishments as a Native American potter. Includes fantastic pictures of both her and her work.
PBS
Art21: Barbara Kruger
Much of Kruger's art questions the viewer about feminism, consumerism, and desire. Her trademark black text on a red background has been seen around the world and can still be recognized today.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
Black Past
Black Past: Cole, Nat "King"
This brief encyclopedia entry gives information about Nat "King" Cole, an influential jazz pianist and vocalist.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Ellsworth Kelly
Ellsworth Kelly is profiled at this site in a format that begins with a brief biographical sketch of his life. His works are then listed by appearance in the museum's database. Each work is presented in thumbnail format with brief...
Black Past
Black Past: Fitzgerald, Ella
This encyclopedia entry details the life of Ella Fitzgerald, the incredible jazz singer.
Library of Congress
Loc: Ragtime
Includes background essays, artist biographies, sheet music, video, and audio resources about ragtime.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Louis Jordan
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Louis Jordan, an American saxophonist-singer prominent in the 1940s and '50s who was a seminal figure in the development of both rhythm and blues and rock and roll. The bouncing, rhythmic...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Carrie Mae Weems
Provides biographical details on the life of Carrie Mae Weems, American artist and photographer known for creating installations that combine photography, audio, and text to examine many facets of contemporary American life.
New York Times
New York Times: Photographic Portraits of the Year's Best Actors (2004)
This portfolio of black-and-white portraits of Oscar-nominated film stars captures a range of faces, poses, moods, and points of view. Excellent site for comparing and criticizing artistic choices and approaches and for inspiring...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Kara Walker
Biographical information on Kara walker, an American installation artist who used intricate cut-paper silhouettes, together with collage, drawing, painting, performance, film, video, shadow puppetry, light projection, and animation, to...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Augusta Savage
Read interesting facts about the life of American sculptor and educator, Augusta Savage, who battled racism to secure a place for African American women in the art world.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Kerry James Marshall
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Kerry James Marshall, an African American painter and printmaker whose work examines aspects of black culture in the United States. His unique images extend the grand traditions of history...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Henry Ossawa Tanner
Brief biography on Henry Tanner, an American painter who gained international acclaim for his depiction of landscapes and biblical themes.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Alvin Ailey
At this site from the John F. Kennedy Center you can read about the life and accomplishments of American choreographer, Alvin Ailey.
Other
Whitney Museum: Jacob Lawrence: Exploring Stories
A look at Jacob Lawrence and his art, and instructions on how to make your own tempera paints and "paint your own story," using Lawrence's work as inspiration.
Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago: Art Access: Aaron Douglas: Aspects of Negro Life
This resource presents information about a preparatory gouache made by Douglas, in 1934, for a mural commissioned by the Works Progress Administration.