Karamu Artists Inc: Printmaking, Race, and Community

Cleveland's Karamu House, founded in 1915, is a hub for Black arts, culture, and community. It is known for its theater program and a rich legacy in graphic arts. Printmaking workshops were launched in the 1930s, allowing young Black printmakers like Langston Hughes to experiment with print. It was founded by prominent Black printmakers of the WPA era, including Elmer W. Brown, Hughie Lee-Smith, Charles L. Sallée Jr., and William E. Smith. The house features reproductions of works by these artists, essays situating them in the histories they shaped, and an interview with printmaker and Karamu alumnus Curlee Raven Holton. The house's rich history and accessibility make it a significant center for Black arts and culture.