x
Breaking News
More () »

Women's History Month: Augusta Savage

Augusta Savage helped to shape the face of sculpting in the 1920s. She molded major artists of the Harlem Renaissance including Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight.

Born in Green Cove Springs and discouraged along the way, Augusta Savage would encounter gender bias, poverty and racism on her way to the top.

Savage helped to shape the face of sculpting in the 1920s. She molded major artists of the Harlem Renaissance including Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight. 

But her success did not come easily. Her scholarship to an art school right outside of Paris in 1922 was revoked when officials found out she was a black woman.

But nonetheless, she thrived.

During the 1920s, she became known as a portrait sculptor with one of her best-known pieces being 16 feet tall. It was known as "The Harp," but some people call it "The Voice." 

Her sculpture was shown at the New York 1939 World's Fair and later destroyed due to a lack of funds to cast it in bronze. Few of Savages original works still remain. 

There's an exhibit on display at The Cummer Museum called Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman. It runs through April 7.

Before You Leave, Check This Out