Digital Schomburg and the Art & Artifacts Division are excited to share the following teacher set, produced in collaboration with the New York Public Library’s Digital Imaging Services and Center for Educators and Schools.

This first-of-its-kind teacher set includes 3D printed sculptures, modeled after original artworks by Augusta Savage, preserved in the Art & Artifacts Division at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Also included are laminated photographs of the artist at work (from the center’s Photographs & Prints Division), and copies of the young adult book written in prose by poet Marilyn Nelson entitled, “Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptor’s Life,” which tells the story of her life in poems and photographs.

Photo credit: diagrams of scaled comparisons of original Augusta Savage sculptures in relation to the 3D printed replicas, NYPL Digital Imaging Services

With an eye towards expanding on the services already available to research divisions, Digital Imaging Services (DIS) volunteered to produce 3D scans, virtual models, and 3D prints for all of the materials included in this project. A structured light scanner was used to scan each sculpture from all possible angles, producing data that was then processed through specialized software to produce both an interactive virtual model and a printable STL file. Using an FDM 3D printer, a series of test prints were produced to determine the ideal size, weight, and level of detail for classroom use. Prints were sanded to better emulate the sheen and texture of the original sculptures, and then delivered to CES for circulation. 

This teacher set is available through MyLibraryNYC: 

MyLibraryNYC provides participating schools with enhanced library privileges including fine-free student and educator library cards, school delivery and the exclusive use of 14,000+ Teacher Sets designed for educator use in the classroom; and student and educator access to the unparalleled digital resources of New York City's public library systems as well as instructional support and professional development opportunities.

1936, Augusta Savage with her sculpture "Realization," Photographs & Prints Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library

Augusta Christine Fells was born in (b. February 29, 1892 - d. March 29, 1962) Green Cove Springs, Florida the seventh child of fourteen children born to Cornelia and Edward Fells. She was a precocious child and began sculpting from nature and making little animals from clay. Considered one of the most influential artist in Harlem in the 30s, she was the first African American artist elected to the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors and in 1932 she opens the Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts. In 1935 she was a founding member of the Harlem Artist Guild. The Guild was formed to advocate for opportunities for Harlem artists especially on Federal Works Projects.  In 1937 Augusta was director of the Harlem Community Art Center which was the model art center in the country. Her leadership and stature in the art community enabled her to land a commission to create a work for the 1939's World's Fair. Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Harp) was a 16-foot plaster sculpture located at the entrance of the Contemporary Arts Building.

For more information on researching Augusta Savage at the Schomburg Center, explore the libguide.

This project was facilitated by the the following collaborators:

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: Kimberly Henderson, Digital Curator; Tammi Lawson, Art & Artifacts Division Curator

New York Public Library, Digital Imaging Services: Rebecca Wack, Assistant Director; Pete Riesett, Manager, Special Services and Technologies

Shauntee Burns-Simpson, Associate Director, Center for Educators and Schools, New York Public Library