“Democracy is a strange thing. My brother was good enough to be accepted in one of the regiments that saw service in France during the war, but it seems his sister is not good enough to be a guest of the country for which he fought…how am I to compete With other American artists if I am not given the same opportunity.”
Augusta Savage
Where Resilience Rests
The lack of patronage—money, resources, opportunity—afforded to Savage never veered her from her optimal goal. Her incessant and outspoken character ablaze toward racial injustices that wounded African Americans, specially those that rooted for the negro enlightenment.
With mastery capabilities at hand, Savage applied for the Summer Art & Education program in the Fontainebleau commune of France. Notwithstanding, her admission was denied. Which carved way for one of her famous saying: “Democracy is a strange thing. My brother was good enough to be accepted in one of the regiments that saw service in France during the war, but it seems his sister is not good enough to be a guest of the country for which he fought…how am I to compete With other American artists if I am not given the same opportunity.”
The establishment of The Savage Studio of Arts & Crafts, in 1932, rings Savage’s resilience amidst racial hardship during the 1920s, and her dedication to enact equitable art education to negro boys and girls, and men and women alike, in Harlem.
She later became the director of The Harlem Community Art Center, once located at 290 Lenox Avenue, NYC, after founding the Harlem Artist Guild. A small, but formidable institution that paved the way for other prolific Harlem Renaissance innovators as Jacob Lawrence.
Savage later died of cancer in 1962, leaving behind a grand legacy.
“I have created nothing really beautiful, really lasting, but if I can inspire one of these youngsters to develop the talent I know they possess, then my monument will be in their work." She has certainly accomplished this mission through her emphatic works.