Our project began with an exploration into the lives of the men and women of the abolitionist movement. The positive characters traits of these great men and women led us to create symbolic self-portrait imagery. Each artist weaved three symbolic plants and flowers together to create unique artworks. Each artist also painted a small self- portrait that resembles stone or gravel. Our self-portraits are intended to identify us with those who laid the foundation for the Underground Railroad. Our plants and flowers growing between the abandoned tracks symbolize our hope, which continues to grow out of our commitment to social justice and beauty.

Ben Volta with 4th grade students at Solis-Cohen Elementary School

4th GRADE CLASSROOM TEACERS:
Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Green, Mrs. New, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Yak

The Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the United States Department of Education made this project possible.