History Center offers Art To Go kits during Black History Month
Published 3:48 pm Monday, February 8, 2021
- Students are shown at the South Oakboro Elementary School, a Rosenwald School on Buster Road, circa 1945. Pictured are: Shirley Clark, Fred Kluttz, Louise Willoughby (holding Billy K. Thomas), Helen Smith, Louvenia Staton, John Earl Burns, Nona Mae Thomas, Fannie Mae Staton, Lela Griffin, Josephine Billingsley, Annie Smith, Elmer Griffin, Ersie Kluttz, Maddie Robinson, James Ray Clark, Alfleta Smith and teacher Mr. Campbell.
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To celebrate Black History Month, the Stanly County History Center has created an Art
To Go Kit that will be available this month.
The kit contains information about the educational opportunities that were available for African American children in Stanly County following the Civil War, as well as pictures of some of the earliest schools. There is also a spotlight on five figures from the African American Stanly County community pre- and post-Civil War, including Celia Easley, a former slave who became a prominent landowner in Stanly County in the 1830s.
The art activity in the kit is inspired by the colorful abstract art of American painter, Alma Thomas. Born in Georgia in 1891, she is now recognized as a major American painter of the 20th century. Her most well-known work consisted of broad, mosaic-like patches of vibrant color applied in circles or vertical stripes. Her work bursts with color, reflecting her life-long study of color theory.
The kits were designed for children kindergarten to fifth grade, but anyone can request one. This is a free service.
Call 704-986-3777 to request a kit or for further information.