Hazelwood West Middle School Selected to Participate in Faith Ringgold Workshop

was one of only two area schools selected to participate in a lecture and workshop hosted by artist, storyteller and children’s book author Faith Ringgold.

The workshop, “Children’s Books and Story Quilts,” took place at Lindenwood University, and art teacher Elaine Eversgerd, along with 80 of her students had the opportunity to meet and listen to Ringgold speak. She told stories from her award-winning books and story quilts. She invited children onstage to read selections of her work. The workshop introduced students to Ringgold’s work and highlighted the link between art and literacy.

“I’m really excited, this is one of the most awesome things in my career,” said Eversgerd in an Hazelwood School District statment. “I have used her in my lessons for years and I met her once before.

"I wrote an article and lesson using her as my influence in 2005 that was published in School Arts Magazine; so, I feel lucky to meet her again and this time I got to bring students.” 

Eighth grade students Sara Wahby, Cody Sevier and Jaylen Bledsoe all took turns reading at a lectern, where they read selected passages.

“I like how she incorporates all of her past experiences in what she makes,” said Wahby. “She said that everyone can fly [succeed] and she made her talk interesting for any age group to understand.”

Her favorite Ringgold book is “Tar Beach.” The book’s title is also the nickname of the Harlem apartment building rooftop used by the story’s protagonist and her family in the late 1930s.

Ringgold, is also a painter, writer, speaker, a mixed media sculptor and a performance artist. She lives and works in Englewood, New Jersey. Ringgold is professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego where she taught art from 1987 until 2002. Her art is included in many private and public art collections, including The St. Louis Art Museum.