Searching for Augusta Savage | Full Documentary | American Masters Shorts | PBS

Official website: www.pbs.org/ame... | #AmericanMastersPBS
Augusta Savage was the first person in the U.S. to open a gallery dedicated to African American art. A Harlem Renaissance sculptor and art educator, she was also one of the first Black women art activists of her time and fought for the inclusion of Black artists in the mainstream canon. Art historian Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D. explores Savage's legacy, and why her artwork has been largely erased.
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Now in its 38th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape-through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards-including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special-two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.

[@kaylalawson4507]

Tammi is my mother! I've never seen someone so passionate and hardworking in making sure Augusta Savage's work is seen, her story is heard, and her legacy lives on!

[@andreroy8141]

God bless her. She has most certainly enlightened my understanding of the Arts. Having seen Jacob Lawrence's work in person and in admiration. Now I know there would likely be no Jacob Lawrence without an Augusta Savage. Another great American Artist who wasn't taught in my High School art classes. This is the first I heard of her!

[@SweetUareDesi]

She is beautiful ❤ and so are you

[@moco3624]

Tell your mom Thank you for the beautiful gift of knowledge. I collect heritage stamps every year and saw Ms. Savage picture so did my research. May you and your mom stay blessed.

[@thistree9028]

Thanks for sharing that. Tammi is certainly insightful on matters of culture and art ❤.

[@jaeeluv]

✨️🫶🏿✨️

[@jaemegrrl]

I was lucky enough to have been the illustrator of the children’s book on Augusta Savage: “In Her Hands, The Story of Augusta Savage”, written by Alan Schoeder. It was a wonderful experience, and was picked up by the Smithsonian, as well as the Children’s Notable 2009. At the time of publication, we hoped that the election of Obama would help with sales We are on Amazon and still in the second printing. Love seeing that she has not been forgotten! JaeMe Bereal

[@alingw0809]

I just read your book for a project on Ms. Savage in my Women's Art History class. Beautiful illustrations!

[@jaemegrrl]

@@alingw0809 thank you!!

[@littlefinger5199]

Thank GOD for the ladies keeping her memory and work alive for us to never forget.

[@eastafrika728]

The stories of black people in America are always astounding and can take you through the entire spectrum of your emotions.

[@Joyful_Smiles]

Happy Black History Month, Friend. Its good to still see you on these KZbin streets😊

[@wearecreatedformore]

So true!

[@sharonpollock9543]

Incredibly powerful humans, I am endlessly in awe and bow to all BIPOC people.

[@io8841]

I would like to note that I am watching this on February 29 2024 such a pleasure to be introduced on her birthday😊🎉

[@evefavorse5939]

This was an exceptional story and left me wanting to know more about her life. It’s truly sad but not surprising that our history and presence continues to be erased to retrofit the false narrative that we haven’t created, invented or contributed!

[@aricar325]

What a marvelous woman of great intellect, talent, and perseverance. Thank you PBS for sharing this video. I'm grateful for the introduction to Miss Augusta. I'm hoping to find a biography where I can learn more about her life next.

[@itsnhisword1]

I saw her work in passing when I was a teenager, and again, when I was 44. Now, coming across this documentary has been such a joy. As a black artist, this has greatly inspired me to keep working to improve my gift. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️

[@SalimSivaad]

I learned about her at Morehouse. It was fascinating and so sad how much of her work has been discarded and lost to history: particularly “Lift Every Voice And Sing”. It’s an artistic catastrophe for such a storied and important work.

[@91WriterzStatus]

This doc was so short. I wished it was longer. I didn't know about Augusta until now. She's a talented artist

[@VisibleTimes]

I agree. Way too short.

[@oldreprobate2748]

August's last statement has certianly not only materialize, but has flourished thought out time, and will for all time. Marvelous, simply Marvelous woman in all.

[@brwndot]

"I can tell when an artist loves me" ❤✊🏽

[@Dolittlesart]

I loved this piece. She has always been a mystery to me mainly because there just wasn’t a lot of information about her readily available. I long for more of her personal life info. I find inspiration in knowing how artist tick, where they come from, how they were inspired to keep going. Brava for this work.

[@oldreprobate2748]

In these days and times the internet keeps expanding Ms. Savage.

[@aswanb]

Thank you for expanding on her work and life!

[@slimtrain]

Her second husband was apart of Marcus Garvey’s organization. His name was Robert Lincoln Poston. His brother Theodore R. Poston was the 1st Black reporter for the New York Post.

[@profboo1]

Ted Poston was her 3rd husband.

[@JoeJoe-ng9qb]

Narrated by art historian and curator Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D. (traveling exhibit and book, Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman), with Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black; The Glorias, The Equalizer) providing dramatic readings of the words of Augusta Savage

[@ddoubleu170]

🤍🙏🏾

[@c.t.murray3632]

Augusta Savage was exceptionally talented and brilliant. I could see the struggles involved with being accepted as a black artist and she did it anyway. That takes a lot of strength along with maintaining a balance of Art and business. She succeeded. I'm going to visit Saugerties soon

[@Joyful_Smiles]

Happy Black History Month! Thank you for sharing Augusta Savage's legacy, a true American Artist.

[@yvettemarshallTWN]

Great! Remember seeing “Le Gamin” bust in an art book we had on the shelf but didn’t know all about her until much later. Augusta was a freedom fighter and so feared but revered. God bless this powerful woman! 🎨🌚🌝

[@JoeJoe-ng9qb]

Thank you for uploading this amazing history and highlighting "erasure."

[@2violettina]

Great information and a must see for the Metropolitan museum of art’s Harlem show

[@smithconnie07]

Thank God for Black History!!!

[@andreroy8141]

Amen! So much of America history has been hidden or buried on purpose. All because the color of a person's skin!

[@derrickdouglass9177]

I am an Augusta Savage fan. Thoroughly enjoyed this Documentary.

[@BartFriedmanvideos]

I tried to share the link to this video to the Saugerties Village group on Facebook and Facebook declined to post it stating that the video contains content that "other people on Facebook have reported as abusive". I'd love to know what offended anyone about this great little doc about an historically important artist who also worked and resided for a while in our town.

[@earnellduhart8847]

Interesting. What abuses were listed? I detected none, only common treatment received by people of color then as well as now.

[@Qu33n]

Thank you all for highlighting Ms. Savage!

[@caroleallen1646]

Thank you so very much for bringing this beautiful artist and her beautiful work of art to the forefront. I’m very inspired just to learn about who she was and her powerful messages in her art ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@NaturallyGifted77]

She was a great Artist! And had a beautiful home! I am so happy I came across her story.

[@Gondegirl]

This documentary is OUTSTANDING. What an amazing woman. Thank you for doing her justice by sharing her story so beautifully.

[@btamp925]

Thank you for sharing this information. It is an eye opening, educational, excellent presentation. Thank you again. I will share it with my Italian students here in Brescia, Italy…..hopefully they’ll be inspired…..

[@karenfreeman9485]

This is great information. I'm glad generations will learn about Augusta Savage. Who is the expert that Dr. Hayes was interviewing about the artwork?

[@charlottemangin4388]

Tammi Lawson, curator of Art & Artifacts at the Schomburg Center

[@allisonlew4508]

Oprah, Spielberg: Where are you? This great story needs to be told in cinema!

[@charliea1641]

Is not ratchet enough

[@musiclover-cn7tb]

PBS you're wonderful.

[@melissabrown2192]

Wow. This was a wonderful documentary.

[@Wordsareprayers]

Beautiful doc! Thank U, Augusta Savage!! And thank U to the film maker for loving me!! ❤🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥♥️🔥

[@gardensofthegods]

Also it's sickening that her sculptures for the 1939 World's Fair were destroyed .

[@sharksport01]

Almost all of the sculptures and artwork from the fair were destroyed, unfortunately.

[@user-ld1jb2fy8p]

​@@sharksport01do you know why?

[@sharksport01]

@user-ld1jb2fy8p They were mostly large and heavy, and there wasn't a big market for art during the depression. Most people were just scraping by.

[@user-ld1jb2fy8p]

@@sharksport01 oohh, ok Thanks.

[@JenniferSerenity]

Thank you! The New York Historical Society in 2019 had a retrospective exhibit of her work. Many of her artworks were there that I had seen in books but not in person. I was actually surprised to see that one of her artworks was on loan from Spelman College (a HBCU in Atlanta, GA 22:07 ) from their permanent collection. I had no idea about her home in upstate New York. Thanks for the thorough exploration of her life!

[@elizabethoniri6525]

Thank you sooo much for sharing. I love her work, i only discovered her work when i was studing in 2000.

[@Ebonylotus1348]

Love her work and attitude re: her legacyoving forward through students she taught. I lam also a black female artist livi here in Hudson Valley. I knew about the yellow house she lived and worked in Saugerties was going to be turned into a museum 5 yrs ago. Looking forward to going now that it's open. Btw there is a gallery at U Mass, Amherst, named after her. Thanks for this great documentary about her life.❤🌹

[@wannellalawson4001]

I want think young lady for presentation. Great job. This was an informative video. I heard of her as a teenager. She should be honored more but it is up to us. Spread this among our children grandchildren and etc. Because they want teach black history in our schools. We as relatives and others should not wait for schools to do this. Because they want. We need to start at home churches or anyway we can. Thank you PBS

[@maitefaangaza2409]

I'm a huge and longtime fan of the brilliant Augusta Savage! Thank you. Love this doc!

[@meandmy2cents309]

Wow! Her sculptures are absolutely beautiful. They completely capture the individuals’ presence. I was not familiar with her until now. Thank you!

[@markd.holloman5187]

Thank you for this! Our Culture has done so much for the betterment of society and the world.

[@cliffwidener7700]

I just watched this piece and enjoyed it very much. You and the gentleman have a good energy together.

[@nhshappyrelationship]

I'm so grateful for this story of such an amazing artivist! May her work continue to be lifted up.

[@sincerelylatasha]

This was sooo beautiful to learn and see Augusta's story! Thanks for sharing 💛💛

[@buttercupj6208]

I'm in my 40's and never heard of her I'm glad to learn about her life thanks for the video.. 😊

[@siscool968]

I've see her work online🤩years ago, had to share the beauty created by her hands and have to share this tribute ✊🏾

[@rayebutterfield1820]

Her work is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

[@GeorgeBeenArt]

This is Beautiful. So happy that this was put together for the world to see.

[@thewagonadreambylewis]

This was well done and documented. Thank you so much for sharing her legacy with us. My her memory live on

[@lazlomattachine8334]

Beautiful documentary- thank you for teaching me about the work of Ms Savage-

[@jeannieves6275]

Incredible Woman ⭐️💪🏽

[@eclectictreasures955]

Well Done! Well Done!

[@GratitudeGriot]

OMG! I'm only 2 min and already i want to throw my laptop across the room!! they DISMANTLED and DISCARDED this BEAUTIFUL sculpture??! Edit: whew I'm glad I made it through. 15:23 Sadly makes sense she didn't have the resources to preserve her work🥺 i would LOVE the opportunity to participate in an artist residency in August Savage's studio! That's sounds like such an amazing way to keep the space living and inspiring creativity ❤🖤💚

[@mrroberttrujillo]

Beautiful piece on her life and work!

[@JoeJoe-ng9qb]

Tammi Lawson Curator, Art & Artiacts Division Schomberge Center is being interviewed

[@JoeJoe-ng9qb]

Schomburg

[@JoeJoe-ng9qb]

It is in the brief caption when she begins speaking. Odd that they leave her off the credits!

[@galaxylucia1898]

I have never heard of her in ANY art history course I’ve taken. I greatly appreciate all of the incredibly hardwork and dedication to keeping Ms. Savage’s name, art, and contributions to the art world thru education and exhibition opportunities ALIVE. She truly is an inspiration for us going forward.

[@ImaniTolliver]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@nubian47]

Thank you so much for this documentary.

[@wearecreatedformore]

Thankful for this feature!

[@gretchenbray2268]

Amazing story! Thank you!

[@OHSOKIMBERLY]

thanks for the enlightenment!

[@samuelwolfolk3364]

Awesome! Never knew!

[@All.Natural.]

Thanks for sharing!❤

[@JapanSpr94]

Amazing history. Thank you for sharing.

[@allisonlew4508]

Oprah, Beyonce: Fund a Floor in Major Galleries fir Augusta Savage!

[@Jebbie1976]

I've never been the slightest bit interested in art but I AM interested in people & their history. I'd love to see a full length documentary on Savage!♥

[@gardensofthegods]

It's really heartbreaking that her school which was originally given a grant by the Carnegie Foundation could not continue to receive some kind of funding during the Depression . The fact that she had to turn down 60 people from joining the school with and only 6 weeks echoes what she said about the huge need for her school in that community . And it's also heartbreaking about her gallery folding in such a short amount of time . Makes me so sad for her that this caused her to cry and say that they weren't ready for her yet . I believe it was lack of proper public relations ... not her fault of course . It's just that there were some well off potential patrons who I believe would have helped if they had known of her struggles to keep these two vital venues open . Really truly a pity 😢

[@mkdubose]

Masterful presentation on Dr.. Augustus Savage, Dr. Jeffreen Hayes!

[@jeannieves6275]

Gifted Artist

[@EmpressNatiLocs]

Beautiful. Thanks so much for highlighting this amazing woman. I promptly forwarded this to my daughter. ❤

[@corylackland8377]

She resembles Lynn Hamilton (Fred Sanford's girlfriend on Sanford and Son). Donna was her character's name. Very elegant.

[@nicollehardy5022]

This documentary is beautiful❤....

[@JoeJoe-ng9qb]

A search comes up with lots of information. Assuming " Narrated by art historian and curator Jeffreen M. Hayes, Ph.D. (traveling exhibit and book, Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman), with Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black; The Glorias, The Equalizer) providing dramatic readings of the words of Augusta Savage" is connected...

[@cassandramcknight2416]

This is why it's so important to actively document as things are actually happening. This way things are verifiable.

[@mamashouse2]

THANKFUL FOR HER GREATNESS “

[@blaqpho3nix]

I’ve never heard of this lady and that’s all bout to change my photographic image! Thank you Ms Savage 🫶🏽🙌🏽

[@jaeeluv]

One thing you ain't gone do is STOP a black woman. We'll KEEP going 💪🏿✨️

[@theehealingofi]

That was beautiful.

[@crystalwilliams751]

I like the beautiful art of black art!

[@paulamitchell1653]

“Thank You”

[@kincamell2]

Stellar Peace to Edmonia Lewis

[@sekkhiaakare7701]

I would like to have a small replica of the first sculpture.

[@renaissanceinblack]

Terrific. I'm going to stop past Shomberg asap.

[@Godiswatching45]

PFAS, LET'S SCREAM IT OUT!😢😢😢

[@michellecostict8387]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@JenJaneway]

I Can recognize Lorraine Toussaints' voice anywhere 😊❤

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Can't go wrong with Lorraine Touissant!

[@slimtrain]

Augusta Savage is my distant relative.

[@levmoses742]

❤️😍❤️

[@ChandraNYC]

🖤👏🏾🖤

[@bnwo]

Had this been in 2024, all the works would have be women. The days of Augusta Savage ae long gone.

[@tiwantiwaabibiman2603]

What are you talking about? I'm a Black woman artist and independent curator. Still today in 2024, the majority of contemporary artwork in galleries and museums is by men - specifically white men.

[@SalimSivaad]

@@tiwantiwaabibiman2603I think they were referring specifically to the *subjects* of some of her work, like Gamin, being male.

[@kennjones3196]

❤🖤💚

[@HellaReckless]

❤️

[@PsalmoftheStars]

Dismantled!???

[@PeggyBlackshire-ww2mz]

No surprise in this racist world but don’t lose hope God knows truth

[@rochellewarren5008]

💜💥

[@emanuelhighwaymanthomas6123]

wow!!! im sure some of her works is in somebody mega home built during her era.

[@profboo1]

The Schomburg Center has the largest collection of her work in a public institution.

[@nadirmuhammad2178]

Hotep. It's a Shame on how they did her? She left her position at some institution. To pursue This campaign And we see completed her Taski wanted to return back to where she was working at. She was denied. This is America!! Some years ago, in the 80s, there was a carpet store. They had a head sculpture. of one of our people and looking at the work I see here, men. I wish I had gone in there and got tha before the carpet store closed. Here in philadelphia. 🔥🎯💯🦋

[@wandarobinson682]

This is hard to watch! We let people do what ever they want to us! And you know what they get away with it everytime!

[@SweetUareDesi]

WHAT WAS THE REASON😮😮😮😮

[@aarchie5268]

I wonder how that guy came to owning her house.

[@user-ld1jb2fy8p]

He said his dad was the owner of the house

[@getprettyfit1997]

I am trying to figure out the arrangement. He also said she visited his Grandparents. Did she rent or wS their house guest?