Alston, Charles Henry

1907-1977 · Contribution: 1935-1990

Visual Arts

First African American supervisor for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project; created the first image of an African American displayed at the White House

Visual Arts: collage image
Visual Arts

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Quick facts

Category
Visual Arts

Impact on the world

Alston shaped both the art and the artists of the Harlem Renaissance, creating landmark public murals while opening the WPA's arts programs to Black talent as their first Black supervisor.

An alternative history

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Sources

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    Smithsonian American Art Museum

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