Black History Month 2011
In celebration of Intuit’s 20th anniversary, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art invited Roger Manley, folklorist, author and director of the Gregg Museum of Art & Design at North Carolina State University, to “mine” Intuit’s permanent collection for this exhibition. In his curatorial statement Manley writes, “Architecture of Hope – the Treasures of Intuit explores a range of inspired responses to struggle as generated by self-taught artists to transform life’s challenges into opportunities for artistic invention.”
This exhibition of 84 works by 39 self-taught artists features 14 African Americans including Chicagoans William Dawson, Mr. Imagination, Derek Webster, and Wesley Willis and Aurora native Charles Smith; as well as Thornton Dial, William Hawkins, Sister Gertrude Morgan, Leroy Person, Kevin Sampson, Reverend Johnnie Swearingen, James “Son” Thomas, Willie White; and Afro-Panamanian Ariel “Pajarito” Jiminez.
In addition to a field trip to Intuit, we recommend the following resources:
Milwaukee Art Museum
The museum has an extensive collection dedicated to folk, self-taught and outsider art. The website features selected artwork with background information on the artists.
Roger Brown Study Collection
Artist Roger Brown’s studio and fascinating collection of art and artifacts, which he donated to the School of the Art Institute Chicago. Appointments are necessary to view the collection.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
The Kohler Arts Center has been involved in the preservation, study, and exhibition of work by vernacular artists.
House of Blues Chicago
With over a thousand original pieces of folk art, HOB houses one of the largest publicly displayed folk art collections in America.
Online Resources for Educators
Intuit’s Artist Biographies
A growing list of biographies featuring the artists in our Permanent Collection.
Off the Map
An interactive tour of ten selected environments by inspired artist/builders.
Outsider Art, Folk Art, and Recycled Art Projects
World’s Largest Traveling Roadside Attraction and Museum shares exciting lesson plans, such as “Memory Boxes” and “Grapefruit People.”
From Windmills to Whirligigs
Created by the Science Museum of Minnesota. This site includes a tour of Vollis Simpson’s whirligig farm in North Carolina, and activities that connect art and science.
