Augusta Savage Facts & Worksheets

Augusta Savage, an African American artist, faced significant obstacles due to her ethnicity and gender in her pursuit of success as a sculptor. She is renowned for her sculptures of prominent figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Frederick Douglass, and Marcus Garvey, as well as her work titled “Gamin” and others. She is a well-known figure in the resurgence of arts and culture during the Harlem Renaissance.

See the fact file below for more information about Augusta Savage, or you can download our 21-page Augusta Savage worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

WHO WAS AUGUSTA SAVAGE?

• Augusta Christine Fells was born near Jacksonville, Florida, on February 29, 1892. His parents were parents Edward Fells and Cornelia Murphy. 
• From a young age, Augusta started crafting sculptures, primarily little animals, using the indigenous red clay found in her region.
• She was the seventh child out of a total of fourteen. Despite her father’s religious misgivings, Savage sculpted sculptures using clay as a child.
• He disapproved of her sculpture because he believed it constituted a wicked activity, based on his understanding of the graven images passage in the Bible. 
• Upon commencing her education in West Palm Beach, an instructor saw Savage’s evident skill and involved her in instructing lessons focused on clay modeling. During college, she generated income by selling animal figurines at a local county fair.
• Savage procured materials from a nearby potter and fashioned a collection of figures, which she then submitted for display at a regional county fair. Her work was highly acclaimed, resulting in a prestigious award and the endorsement of George Graham Currie, the supervisor of the fair. He motivated her to pursue art education despite the prevailing bigotry.
• In 1907, she entered into matrimony with John T. Moore. The following year, their daughter, Irene Connie Moore, was born. Unfortunately, John passed away not long after. She wed James Savage in 1915 and retained his surname even after their divorce in the 1920s. 

HOW DID SAVAGE START HER CAREER IN ART?

• Following an unsuccessful endeavor to build her reputation as a sculptor in Jacksonville, Florida, Savage relocated to New York City in the early 1920s.
• Despite facing financial difficulties throughout her life, she was accepted into Cooper Union to pursue her studies in art, a prestigious institution that did not need tuition payment. Shortly after, the school awarded her a scholarship to assist with her living expenses. Savage demonstrated exceptional performance by completing her coursework in three years instead of the typical four.
• During her time at Cooper Union, she encountered an occurrence that had a profound impact on her life and career:
• In 1923, Savage applied to a specialized summer program to pursue art studies in France, but her application was declined based on her race.
• She interpreted the rejection as a catalyst for action and wrote letters to the local media regarding the discriminatory practices of the program selection committee.
• Savage’s narrative garnered widespread media attention, although it failed to sway the group’s determination.
• A committee member, Herman MacNeil, expressed remorse over the decision and invited Savage to refine her skills in his studio in Long Island.
• Savage quickly gained recognition as a portrait sculptor. She created sculptures of notable African Americans, including W. E. B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey. 
• Savage was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a distinguished literary and cultural movement among African Americans during the 1920s and 1930s.
• Her sculpture of William Pickens Sr., a prominent figure in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), received acclaim for portraying an African American in a more compassionate and unbiased manner, in contrast to the prevailing clichés of the era. This was also true for many of her other artworks.
• After a sequence of familial hardships, Savage finally had the chance to pursue her studies overseas. In 1929, she received a Julius Rosenwald fellowship, partly due to a sculpture of her nephew titled Gamin.
• Savage resided in Paris, where she showcased her artwork at the prestigious Grand Palais. She was awarded a second Rosenwald fellowship to extend her studies for an additional year, and she received a separate grant from the Carnegie Foundation that enabled her to visit other European nations.
• Savage was repatriated to the United States during the peak of the Great Depression, a severe economic condition that affected many countries in the world. Due to the scarcity of portrait engagements, she decided to teach art and founded the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts in 1932.
• During the middle of the decade, she became the inaugural African American artist to be admitted into the organization formerly referred to as the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors.
• Savage supported and guided numerous emerging African American painters, such as Jacob Lawrence and Norman Lewis, and advocated for the Works Projects Administration (WPA) to aid other young artists in securing employment during the prevailing economic downturn.

WORLD’S FAIR COMMISSION

• Subsequently, Savage was tasked with producing a sculpture for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. She was inspired by the words of James Weldon Johnson’s poem Lift Every Voice and Sing and used it as a blueprint to build The Harp. The piece, measuring 16 feet in height, reimagined the musical instrument using 12 singing African American youths arranged in ascending order as its strings.
• The Harp’s soundboard was also modified to resemble an arm and a hand. At the forefront, a young man knelt and presented music in his hands. Despite being regarded as one of her significant creations, The Harp was ultimately demolished after the exhibition.
• After being dismissed from her role as a director at the Harlem Community Center during her work on The Harp, Savage endeavored to establish additional art centers in the vicinity. An outstanding piece from this era was The Pugilist – a self-assured and persistent character who seems ready to confront any challenges that may arise – nevertheless, she became increasingly frustrated with her difficulties in regaining her former position. Near 1945, she relocated from the city and settled on a farm near Saugerties, New York.

WORLD’S FAIR COMMISSION

• Subsequently, Savage was tasked with producing a sculpture for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. She was inspired by the words of James Weldon Johnson’s poem Lift Every Voice and Sing and used it as a blueprint to build The Harp. The piece, measuring 16 feet in height, reimagined the musical instrument using 12 singing African American youths arranged in ascending order as its strings.
• The Harp’s soundboard was also modified to resemble an arm and a hand. At the forefront, a young man knelt and presented music in his hands. Despite being regarded as one of her significant creations, The Harp was ultimately demolished after the exhibition.
• After being dismissed from her role as a director at the Harlem Community Center during her work on The Harp, Savage endeavored to establish additional art centers in the vicinity. An outstanding piece from this era was The Pugilist – a self-assured and persistent character who seems ready to confront any challenges that may arise – nevertheless, she became increasingly frustrated with her difficulties in regaining her former position. Near 1945, she relocated from the city and settled on a farm near Saugerties, New York.

LATER YEARS, DEATH, AND LEGACY

• Augusta Savage resided in seclusion in a tiny town for most of her remaining years. She instructed children at summer camps, experimented with writing, and pursued her art as a pastime.
• Savage entered into matrimony on three occasions. Her initial union took place in 1907 with John T. Moore, resulting in the birth of her only offspring, Irene. Moore passed away some years later. In approximately 1915, she entered into matrimony with James Savage, a skilled carpenter, but their union eventually dissolved through divorce. In 1923, she wedded Robert Lincoln Poston, a colleague of Marcus Garvey’s, but was once again widowed when he died the subsequent year. Upon falling unwell later, Savage relocated to New York City to reside with her daughter and her family.
• Savage succumbed to cancer on March 26, 1962, in New York City. Although she was mostly overlooked during her lifetime, Savage is now recognized as a prominent artist, activist, and arts educator who continues to inspire those she taught, assisted, and motivated.

Augusta Savage Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Augusta Savage across 21 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Augusta Savage. She is renowned for her sculptures of prominent figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Frederick Douglass, and Marcus Garvey, as well as her work titled “Gamin” and others. She is a well-known figure in the resurgence of arts and culture during the Harlem Renaissance.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Augusta Savage Facts
2. Understanding Racism
3. Life Story
4. Augusta’s Journey
5. Let’s Analyze
6. Infographic
7. Bring it Alive
8. What do you think?
9. Paving the Way
10. Sculptor
11. Women of Today

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Augusta Savage?

Augusta Savage was an influential African American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Born in 1892, she overcame significant barriers to become one of the leading sculptors of her time.

What are some of Augusta Savage’s notable works?

Augusta Savage created numerous sculptures that celebrated African American identity and culture. One of her most famous works is “The Harp,” inspired by the spiritual “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Unfortunately, many of her sculptures were not preserved due to their ephemeral materials.

How did Augusta Savage contribute to the Harlem Renaissance?

Savage played a crucial role in fostering artistic talent within the African American community during the Harlem Renaissance. She founded the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts in Harlem, providing a space for black artists to learn and create.

What challenges did Augusta Savage face as a black woman artist in the early 20th century?

Like many African American artists of her time, Savage faced discrimination and limited opportunities due to her race and gender. Despite her talent, she struggled to gain recognition and support from mainstream art institutions.

What is Augusta Savage’s legacy?

Augusta Savage’s legacy lies in her contributions to African American art and her dedication to nurturing young talent. She paved the way for future generations of black artists and remains an inspirational figure in the history of American sculpture.

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