Charles C. Dawson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles C. Dawson
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Charles Dawson (back row, fourth from left) and class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, c. 1916.
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| Born |
Charles Clarence Dawson
June 12, 1889 |
| Died | 1981 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Tuskegee Institute, Alabama
The Art Students League of New York, New York School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois |
Charles C. Dawson (June 12, 1889 – 1981) was a talented American artist. He was a painter, printmaker, illustrator, and graphic designer. Dawson used his art to tell important stories and to help other Black artists share their work.
Contents
A Young Artist's Journey
Charles C. Dawson was born in Georgia in 1889. He loved art from a young age. He studied at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama from 1905 to 1907. After that, he moved to New York City to attend the Art Students League of New York. He was the first Black student there.
Dawson faced unfair treatment because of his race at the Art Students League. So, he decided to leave. He saved money by working as a pullman porter (someone who helped passengers on trains) and as a waiter. He then used his savings to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There, he met famous people like Frank Lloyd Wright and Henry Ossawa Tanner.
After finishing art school, Dawson joined the army. He served in France from 1917 to 1919 as one of the Buffalo Soldiers. These were special regiments of African American soldiers. After the war, he returned to Chicago.
Charles Dawson's Art Career
Charles C. Dawson wrote a book about his life called "Touching the Fringes of Greatness." In it, he shared his experiences as an art student and talked about his career.
Dawson worked for two government programs called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). From 1936 to 1941, he directed arts and crafts for a youth program in Chicago. He also designed the layout for the American Negro Exposition in 1940. This important event showcased African American history. Dawson created 20 dioramas (small 3D scenes) for the exposition. These dioramas are now at the George Washington Carver Museum.
The "New Negro" Movement
Dawson was a key part of Chicago's "New Negro" movement. This movement aimed to show the unique identity of African Americans through art. In 1927, Dawson designed the cover for the "Negro in Art Week Exhibition" catalog. His design featured ancient Egyptian and West African art alongside modern Black figures. This showed the rich history and future of Black culture.
Art on Display
Dawson's paintings were shown in important exhibitions. In 1927, three of his paintings were part of "The Negro in Art Week" in Chicago. These paintings were The Quadroon Madonna, Brother and Sister, and Searchlights. His commercial designs were also displayed at another exhibition during that week.
In 1940, his watercolor painting The Crisis was shown at "The Art of the American Negro" exhibition. This exhibition featured many famous African American artists. It was held alongside the historic American Negro Exposition in Chicago.
Helping Other Artists
Charles C. Dawson didn't just promote his own art. He also worked hard to help other African American artists. He organized and curated (put together) many art shows. In 1927, he was the chairman for a major exhibition of African and modern art. In 1940, he helped select art and give awards for "The Art of the American Negro" exhibition.
Dawson also started two important groups: the Arts and Letters Society and the Chicago Art League. These groups helped Black artists connect and share their work. From 1940 to 1951, he was the curator of the Museum of Negro Art and Culture at Tuskegee University.
Published Works
In 1933, Dawson wrote and illustrated a children's book called ABC's of Great Negroes. The book had 26 linoleum prints. Each print showed a famous Black historical figure. It included people like Frederick Douglass, Dr. George Washington Carver, and Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller. Each picture had a short text about their achievements.
Graphic Design Work
Dawson was also a talented graphic designer. He created illustrations for advertisements. He often worked for Black-owned businesses. These included beauty schools and product companies like Annie Turnbo Malone's Poro College. He also worked for magazines and film directors.
Selected Exhibitions
- 1927 Exhibition of Primitive African Sculpture, Modern Paintings, Sculpture and Drawings, Applied Arts and Books, Chicago Art Institute and Chicago Women's Club, Chicago
- 1940 Exhibition of the Art of the American Negro, Tanner Art Galleries, Chicago
Selected Collections
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
- DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago, Illinois
