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HALE WOODRUFF

HALE WOODRUFF (1900-1980), a renowned artist and educator, never earned a formal degree but studied extensively in Boston, Chicago, Mexico (where he worked with Diego Rivera), and Paris. His prints and paintings reflected his exposure to cubism, political murals, and regionalist landscape. Woodruff began teaching at Atlanta University in 1931. To broaden public awareness of his students and other African American artists, he started the Atlanta University Art Annuals, which provided recognition for emerging black artists. Woodruff went on to teach at New York University, retiring in 1967.