Susan Noyes Platt 216 First Ave South #343 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 650-0791 Email Susan

Susan Noyes Platt received her Ph.D in Art History from the University of Texas, Austin, and has taught extensively in America and abroad. Although Art History is Susan's main academic field, she has always placed art in an interdisciplinary setting, that includes history, politics, social issues, geography, mythology, environmental issues, and literature. She has spoken to many types of audiences including the general public, museums, children, and elderly people.

Four African American Artists Working in Washington State Since 1945: James W. Washington, Jr., Jacob Lawrence, Barbara Thomas, Marita Dingus This lecture discusses a selection of prominent African American artists working in the Northwest since World War II. It places the artists' work in an historical, social and political context including reference to the history of African Americans in Washington State. James W. Washington, Jr.; is a noted sculptor who worked in Washington State from 1944 until his death in 2000. Washington's art frequently takes the form of animals and birds, but the rounded form of the original rock is still dominant. His home is currently being transformed into a public "artist studio" museum. Jacob Lawrence came to Seattle from Harlem, New York in 1971 as a celebrity African American artist. He taught at the University of Washington from 1971-1986, and remained in Washington state until his death in 2000. His work addresses African American history through down to earth imagery and stories. Barbara Thomas is a writer and curator as well as artist. She is currently the curator of the Northwest African American Museum scheduled to open in Seattle in the spring of 2007. Her poetic spiritual work focuses on issues based in her personal experience. Her mature style, with its emphasis on turbulent water is part of a long American tradition of water and shipwreck painting. Installation artist Marita Dingus combines the spiritual, the political, the feminist, and the historical in her work. Dingus works entirely with recycled materials such as rags, corks, leather, ribbons, and wires, although her figures usually have painted faces. Together these artists give us an overview of historical, social, political, artistic, and spiritual concerns. Audience: all ages