Seventeen silhouette images depicting the life and work of abolitionist Harriet Tubman
are on display in the windows of downtown Big Rapids businesses. These student-produced
works came from a Ferris State University Spring 2020 Arts 101 class, taught by Adjunct
Professor of Arts and Humanities Lynette Vought.Images depicting the trials and life of 19th-century abolitionist and political activist
Harriet Tubman are on display in windows throughout Big Rapids’ downtown. The displays
are a repurposing of works created by Ferris State University students.
Adjunct Professor of Art and Humanities Lynette Vought said students in her Art 101
class were asked to produce silhouette prints after learning about Tubman’s legacy
during the Spring 2020 semester.
“These students were generally not inclined as artists, for many of them, it was their
first art class,” Vought said. “These images represent a great accomplishment on their
part.”
Vought said former Big Rapids High School English teacher Cathy Johnson came to speak
to students about Tubman, which spurred them to produce these impressive pieces.
“Cathy’s outreach was a significant element in these students’ learning,” Vought said.
“It really brought out significant discussion and introspection, which greatly impacted
their works.”
The silhouettes were initially intended for display while local a capella group Voca
Lyrica performed in a day-long celebration at Michigan State University’s Wharton
Center earlier this year. Johnson and Vought are both members of the women’s singing
troupe. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of that concert.
“We would have surely enjoyed the collaborative offering with Voca Lyrica, as it showed
great potential as an educational event,” Vought said. “It is my hope that our students
can take in the downtown exhibit when they return for classes later this month.”
Artworks, the nonprofit organization based in Big Rapids, has placed the silhouettes
on posters. The 17 pieces are on display at their building and 11 others in the downtown
business district, through Friday, Sept. 25.
“Carrie Weis, of the Ferris Art Gallery, is planning a virtual presentation with these
images, for later this year,” Vought said. “She has procured some items from a Grand
Rapids museum, which will make for a most informational display that will take this
presentation and message of ‘She Persisted’ further. In these works, we are carrying
the theme that applied to the centenary celebration of women’s suffrage in the United
States, since Tubman risked the freedom she had gained, in escape, to guide others
along the Underground Railroad.”
“We are pleased to continue the collaboration with Artworks,” Weis said. “’ She Persisted’
will be an offering of items curated from the Grand Rapids Public Museum that show
the strength of women in this region. Some of them had factory jobs, others labored
in their homes, and there were those who thrived as entrepreneurs. We hope people
will view this curation on the gallery’s website when preparations are completed.”