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Freedom Wall Diptychs

Inspired by the Public Art Initiative Project The Freedom Wall, 2017

The Freedom Wall, 2017—by John Baker, Julia Bottoms, Chuck Tingley, and Edreys Wajed—on the corner of Michigan Avenue and East Ferry Street. Photograph by MK Photo.

Lesson Plan Details

Grade Level: 9–12

Key Connections: African-American History / Drawing

Conceptual Basis

The goal of this lesson is to increase awareness of human rights activists in the Civil Rights movement by looking at who gets to write history and what stories we are familiar with. Students will investigate The Freedom Wall by researching and exploring the stories of the 28 figures represented. They will use this research to create a diptych, in which they explore both a familiar and a new activist.

Please note: This is intended as a cross-curricular lesson. The library/media specialist teacher is a necessary partner to aid with research for this art lesson.

Public Art Initiative Sponsors

The Public Art Initiative was established and is supported by leadership funding from the County of Erie and the City of Buffalo.

Project Sponsors

Public Art Initiative mural projects are generously underwritten by the New Era Cap Foundation. Additional support for this mural has been provided by Hyatt’s Graphic Supply Company.

Program Sponsors

This program has been made possible through the generosity of KeyBank in partnership with First Niagara Foundation. Additional support has been provided by Jeff and Karin Meyer, Marion and Philip Henderson, and Maria Scrivani and John Lipsitz.