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Artists help us see our world differently. They inspire us. Read about four African-American artists. Who inspires you?
Augusta Savage (1892–1962)
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Augusta Savage was a sculptor. She made figures out of clay and other materials. She was also a teacher. She helped younger African-American artists.
Duke Ellington (1899–1974)
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Duke Ellington was an important American composer. He wrote more than 3,000 songs. Trumpet player Wynton Marsalis said, “His music sounds like America.”
Kehinde Wiley (1977–present)
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Kehinde Wiley paints colorful portraits of people. He was the first African-American artist to paint a president’s portrait. He painted Barack Obama in 2018.
Misty Copeland (1982–present)
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Misty Copeland is a well-known dancer. She is a ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She was the first African-American woman at ABT to be chosen as a lead dancer.