Vivian Schuyler-Key (November 3, 1905 – 1990) was an American artist whose works consisted of oil painting 'still life' of flowers, landscapes, and portraits. Despite her broad subject matter, she focused mainly on figurative realism.

Early life and education

On November 3, 1905, Schuyler-Key was born to her father, Henry Foster Schuyler, and her mother, Jessie Valentine Schuyler.[1] Her father worked as a coachmen and her was a domestic worker. She was born in Hempstead, New York and attended Hempstead High School where she was the art editor for her high school's yearbook. She graduated with her diploma in 1923 and proceeded to win a New York State scholarship, that same year. Using that New York State scholarship, Schuyler-Key attended Pratt Institute School of Fine Arts from 1923 to 1926. Around 20 years later, in 1947, Schuyler-Key finished and graduated with her degree from Pratt Institute School of Fine Art.[1]

The Crisis

In 1927, at the age of 22, Schuyler Key won the Amy Spingarn Krigiva Award for her cover design for the NAACP magazine, The Crisis.[1] The cover she designed was the November 1927 issue which featured articles from WEB Dubois, GW Buckner, Joseph Maree Andrew, Effie Lee Newsome, and many more. The cover she designed features a female figure in a white dress, singing surrounded by multiple other figures. The quotation "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is also featured on this issue's cover.[2]

Letter to WEB Dubois

On November 20, 1961, Schuyler-Key wrote a letter to WEB Dubois, congratulating him on his publications and the work he had done. During this time of the Civil Rights Movement, Dubois was not receiving the "proper recognition of his achievements."[3]  Schuyler-Key and Dubois had worked together over 30 years prior, on the November 1927 issue of The Crisis. Due to the span of time between their collaboration, Schuyler-Key reminded him within this letter and also told of the positive recognition her portrait of him had received.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bontemps, Alex; Fonvielle-Bontemps, Jacqueline; Driskell, David C. (1980). Forever Free : Art by African-American Women 1862-1980. Alexandria Virginia: Stephenson Incorporated.
  2. ↑ "The Crisis 1927-11: Vol 34 Iss 9". The Crisis Publishing Company. November 1927.
  3. ↑ "Letter from Vivian Schuyler Key to W. E. B. Du Bois, November 20, 1961".
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