February 24, 2021 | Becca Brasser
In first grade art classes this year, Mr. Johnson has been teaching the children about creating portraits. They first made self-portraits of themselves with oil pastel, and then began learning how to create a portrait based on a photograph or drawing of a real person.
Each child has chosen a notable “Freedom Explorer” to paint this term, putting into practice the portrait drawing skills they’ve learned from Mr. Johnson. Some chose George Washington Carver, some chose Ruby Bridges. Some chose Martin Luther King, Jr. Some chose Henry Box Brown. From all walks of life and all time periods in American history, these notable Black Americans have enriched our understanding of the world and taught us about justice, rights, and freedom.