Malaika Favorite facts for kids

Malaika Favorite, born in 1949, is an amazing American artist and writer. Her artwork is displayed in many important places across the U.S. She mainly uses oil, acrylic, and watercolor paints. Malaika also likes to try new things with her art, like folding canvases or adding words directly into her paintings. Her art often tells stories from her own life and from the world around her.

Early Life and School

Malaika Favorite grew up in Geismar, Louisiana. She was the second of nine children. In the 1960s, she made history by being the first African-American student to attend the all-white high school in Ascension Parish. This was an important step in making schools fair for everyone.

Becoming an Artist

Malaika Favorite studied art at Louisiana State University. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in fine art there. Her very first art pieces were shown while she was still a student.

Malaika's Art Around the World

Malaika Favorite's art is featured in several important books about African-American art. You can find her work in many famous collections. These include the Absolut Vodka collection and the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia. Her art is also at the Alexandria Museum of Art in Louisiana.

Big companies like The Coca-Cola Company own her art. Her work is even displayed at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Ohio also has her pieces.

Art in Public Spaces

Malaika Favorite has created large outdoor murals. You can see these beautiful paintings on Auburn Avenue and White Street in Atlanta. She also painted murals for the entrance of the Tiana's Bayou Adventure ride. This ride is at Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida.

How Malaika Creates Art

Malaika Favorite uses many different art forms and materials. She loves to experiment. For example, she has tried adding words to her paintings. She also folds canvases to create new shapes and textures. She is skilled with oils, acrylics, watercolors, and lithographs.

Malaika believes that art should speak for itself. She once said that art is not just for people seeing it right now. She thinks visual art should last forever. It should inspire and fascinate people in every generation.

Malaika as a Writer

Besides being a visual artist, Malaika Favorite is also a talented writer. She has published three collections of poetry. These include Illuminated Manuscript (1991), Dreaming at the Manor (2014), and Ascension (2016). Ascension even won a special poetry award.

Her poems, stories, and articles have appeared in many different magazines and books. She won the Louisiana Literature Prize for Poetry in 2005.

Awards and Grants

Malaika Favorite has received many awards and grants for her amazing work.

• Puffin Foundation Grant, 2008
• Porter Fleming Foundation Grant, 2007
• Georgia Council For The Arts, 1992
• Special Grant for Excellence in the Arts, Delta Sigma Theta sorority, 1987
• Fulbright-Hays study tour, Art of India, 1978
• African American Institute, 1975

Art Shows

Malaika Favorite has had many solo art shows. This means her art was the only art displayed at these exhibitions.

• Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur GA. March - April 2000
• Camille Love Gallery, Atlanta GA January 1996
• Stephens College, Davis Art Gallery, Columbia Missouri, November 1993
• Augusta College, Augusta GA, February 1993
• Paine College, Augusta GA, January 1993
• Galerie Melancon, Lake Charles LA, February 1990
• Posselt Baker Gallery, New Orleans LA, November 1989, 1986, 1985, 1984
• South Shore Bank, Chicago Illinois, February 1989
• Zigler Museum, Jennings LA, August 1988
• Baton Rouge Gallery LA, June 1988