Melissa Mckeehan

Faith Ringgolds story starts in Harlem in the 1930s. Harlem is a neighborhood in New York City. At the time, many African American artists were thriving there. Faith was inspired by their work when she was growing up. She later went to college to study art. She learned to paint in traditional European styles. But she graduated during a time of tremendous change. Civil rights protesters were everywhere. They were demanding equal rights for African Americans. Ringgold decided to leave European themes behind. She wanted her art to show and represent her identity. So, she turned to her African roots. She loved the colorful compositions of her ancestors. She drew on old traditions. But she invented something new. Ringgold invented the story quilt. Her quilts told stories about real people and events. They showed African American heroes. They told stories from her own life, too. Ringgold also made paintings, sculptures, dolls, and books. Today, you can see her work in museums — and a New York City subway station!