Edmonia Lewis

Edmonia Lewis was a free woman of color who gained recognition as a sculptor during the Civil War. Of black and Native American heritage, she stood out in the largely white and male-dominated art world. At first, she struggled to find sculptors willing to mentor her, but Lewis was determined to succeed and opened an art studio in 1864. Her early works included busts of Native Americans and abolitionists, a community that helped her career thrive. Readers will learn that a move to Rome in 1866 raised her to international fame. Against all odds, she achieved unimaginable success as an artist. Inspire readers by introducing them to Edmonia Lewis.