Faith Ringgold; Groundbreaking Artist, Activist and Author

A few months ago at a family dinner, my then 8-year-old grandson, Titus, said he just had an art lesson about Faith Ringgold. I replied, “Cool! Who is she? I haven’t heard of her before.” As we discussed his take away, I realized I needed to do some research of my own and reach out to Ms. Ringgold to let her know about her big-little fan. I also asked Titus to be my guest writer and give me a few lines about how Ms. Ringgold impressed him. Here is what he wrote:

“I learned about Faith Ringgold in school. She was born in Harlem, New York City in 1930 and had a big family that was important to her. She learned to sew and make art when she was a little girl. I really enjoyed seeing all her beautiful quilts. I also liked how each quilt was different and meant something to her.

If I were to make a quilt, I would put baseballs, footballs, basketballs, and soccer balls on it because I really enjoy sports in my life. I also love my family and would love seeing them on a quilt. Then I could carry all my favorite things with me whenever I wanted. Faith Ringgold had great ideas! ”      – – –

Thank you, Titus. How lucky are you to have such a great arts curriculum at school! Ms. Ringgold had something to say to you, as well.

She writes:  “Dear Titus, I wanted to take a moment to send you a special message; You Can Fly. Keep reading, writing and doing your art. Work hard in school. It is your full time job. I love all my young fans and thank you for writing to me. Until we meet again.”

As readers will see in the links below, Ms. Ringgold has a great deal of media by and about her. ArtBeat Magazine salutes the valuable messages Ms. Ringgold has embraced in her work (especially for children), sending very best regards to her and Grace Matthews, Artist Assistant, for their time. A sincere thank you also goes to Titus for letting us know about this fabulous lady. We appreciate his enthusiasm and hope to hear from him again soon.

Click HERE to go directly to view publications on sale through Amazon

Children’s publications:

http://www.amazon.com/Tar-Beach-Faith-Ringgold

http://www.amazon.com/Aunt-Harriets-Underground-Railroad-Sky

 http://www.amazon.com/Dinner-at-Aunt-Connies-House

http://www.amazon.com/We-Flew-over-Bridge-Ringgold

http://www.amazon.com/Talking-Faith-Ringgold

http://www.amazon.com/Bonjour-Lonnie-Faith-Ringgold

http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Martin-Luther-Dragonfly-Books

http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Princess-Faith-Ringgold

http://www.amazon.com/If-Bus-Could-Talk-Story

http://www.amazon.com/Counting-Tar-Beach-Board-Books

http://www.amazon.com/Cassies-Quilt-Avenues-Faith-Ringgold

http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Night-Christmas-Choir-Harlem

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Witches-Zora-Neale-Hurston

http://www.amazon.com/Henry-Ossawa-Tanner-Boyhood-Dream

http://www.amazon.com/Bronzeville-Boys-Girls-Gwendolyn-Brooks

http://www.amazon.com/Harlem-Renaissance-Party-Faith-Ringgold

We Came to America,  2016  Random House

Videos and YouTube links:

Makers  

On Tar Beach and Quilt Making  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lia6SFTOeu8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-vbFRBa0OI&t=38s

125^th Street Subway 

Makers 

Preview YouTube video Artist Faith Ringgold talks about the process of creating the Tar Beach story quilt  

Preview YouTube video Faith Ringgold: Quilting as an Art Form  

Preview YouTube video Faith Ringgold at the Neuberger Museum of Art 

Preview YouTube video Artist Faith Ringgold review YouTube video Faith Ringgold: Artist & Activist 

Faith Ringgold, Inc.  San Diego, CA.  Office Hours M-TH 9-4pm Pacific time.  ringgoldfaith@aol.com    Phone:  (858) 576-0397  Office:  PO Box 8082 Englewood, NJ 07631.