Isaac Scott Hathaway
Encyclopedia
Isaac Scott Hathaway was an African American
artist who worked in different genres of art
, including ceramics
and sculpture
.
Isaac Scott Hathaway was born in 1872, although some resources say 1874, in Lexington, Kentucky
. He was born to the Reverend Hathaway and his wife and was the youngest of their children. Hathaway’s desire to become an artist was a result of a visit to a museum. At the museum, Hathaway noticed there were no pieces made by or depicting African Americans. At that point, in an early stage in his life, he vowed to represent his people.
Hathaway attended many colleges, including: Chandler College; Pittsburgh Normal College; Cincinnati Art Academy; the College of Ceramics of the State University of New York
; the Ceramic College at the State University of Kansas. At these colleges, Hathaway studied art history and ceramics, but he also developed an interest in sculpture.
Upon finishing his schooling, Hathaway returned to Kentucky. In Kentucky, Hathaway worked as teacher in an elementary school
. Hathaway began to make his own pieces in his spare time. Most of Hathaway’s pieces were sculptures. He is most noted for his busts of famous African Americans, including his personal hero, Frederick Douglass
. The medium of most of his pieces was plaster
, but he also made some of bronze
.
Hathaway’s success had lasting effects. He taught at the University of Arkansasat Pine Bluff before moving to Tuskegee Institute. He became a founding member of the Department of Ceramics at Tuskegee Institute. He was also the first African American to design a U.S. coin. During his life, Hathaway designed two U.S. coins. His first coin was the fifty cent piece bearing the face of Booker T. Washington
in 1946. His second was of George Washington Carver
in 1951.
Hathaway’s works are displayed in a museum bearing his name in Oklahoma City
. Isaac Scott Hathaway died in March 1967.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
artist who worked in different genres of art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, including ceramics
Ceramic art
In art history, ceramics and ceramic art mean art objects such as figures, tiles, and tableware made from clay and other raw materials by the process of pottery. Some ceramic products are regarded as fine art, while others are regarded as decorative, industrial or applied art objects, or as...
and sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
.
Isaac Scott Hathaway was born in 1872, although some resources say 1874, in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. He was born to the Reverend Hathaway and his wife and was the youngest of their children. Hathaway’s desire to become an artist was a result of a visit to a museum. At the museum, Hathaway noticed there were no pieces made by or depicting African Americans. At that point, in an early stage in his life, he vowed to represent his people.
Hathaway attended many colleges, including: Chandler College; Pittsburgh Normal College; Cincinnati Art Academy; the College of Ceramics of the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
; the Ceramic College at the State University of Kansas. At these colleges, Hathaway studied art history and ceramics, but he also developed an interest in sculpture.
Upon finishing his schooling, Hathaway returned to Kentucky. In Kentucky, Hathaway worked as teacher in an elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
. Hathaway began to make his own pieces in his spare time. Most of Hathaway’s pieces were sculptures. He is most noted for his busts of famous African Americans, including his personal hero, Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing...
. The medium of most of his pieces was plaster
Plaster
Plaster is a building material used for coating walls and ceilings. Plaster starts as a dry powder similar to mortar or cement and like those materials it is mixed with water to form a paste which liberates heat and then hardens. Unlike mortar and cement, plaster remains quite soft after setting,...
, but he also made some of bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
.
Hathaway’s success had lasting effects. He taught at the University of Arkansasat Pine Bluff before moving to Tuskegee Institute. He became a founding member of the Department of Ceramics at Tuskegee Institute. He was also the first African American to design a U.S. coin. During his life, Hathaway designed two U.S. coins. His first coin was the fifty cent piece bearing the face of Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
in 1946. His second was of George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver , was an American scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor. The exact day and year of his birth are unknown; he is believed to have been born into slavery in Missouri in January 1864....
in 1951.
Hathaway’s works are displayed in a museum bearing his name in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. Isaac Scott Hathaway died in March 1967.