In a poignant tribute to Black History Month, Audacious Women Productions introduced “Searching for Augusta Savage,” a 22-minute documentary that premiered last week. This inaugural film sets the stage for American Masters Shorts, a digital series presented by the PBS biography program, “American Masters.”
Narrated by art historian and curator Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D., alongside the voice of Lorraine Toussaint, the documentary unfolds the captivating life story of the trailblazing artist Augusta Savage, whose influence during the Harlem Renaissance left an indelible mark.
Savage’s impact extended beyond her sculptures: In 1939, she established the first gallery dedicated to showcasing Black artists. Her commitment to free art education and mentorship, reaching 2,500 individuals, including mentees such as Romare Bearden, Gwendolyn Knight, and Selma Burke, is a testament to her dedication.
The documentary is a labor of love from Charlotte Mangin and Sandra Rattley, creators of the award-winning UNLADYLIKE2020 series. In discussing the film, Mangin emphasized its contemporary relevance, particularly in addressing the underrepresentation of Black women in major art institutions.
This exploration of Black American history marks a historical renaissance of relevant, valuable stories of Black heroes in the arts, culture, and beyond.
For more info, visit www.audaciouswomen.com.
http://www.youtube.com/AmericanMastersPBS
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