Over the past months, Juxtaposition Arts’ teaching artists Sayge Carroll and Jordan Hamilton worked with apprentices to create the face jugs displayed here. As Folk art, face jugs have become a significant feature in the history of African-American art. Because formal ceramic skills to create face jugs were taught after America gained its independence, they are regarded as some of the first truly American pieces.* During the class, apprentices took tours of Mia’s African Art collection with artist Keegan Xavi, gathered inspiration from the face jugs created by African Americans who were enslaved during the 1800’s, and created ceramic pieces representing themselves.
*Patton, Sharon F. African-American Art. Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 1998.

About Juxtaposition Arts
Juxtaposition Arts develops community by engaging and employing young urban artists in hands-on education initiatives that create pathways to self-sufficiency while actualizing creative power. For more info go to juxtapositionarts.org