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Make Sense of This

My Life, My Art, My Collage

Community Exhibition

Sant Building, Lower Level 2 Galleries

Free / In-Person

Included with general admission; free for members

Plan Your Visit
Collage made with colorful patterned paper

Creating a collage has the potential to reveal the different layers of who you are. In the spring of 2024, through the museum’s ArtLinks program, Phillips Education Department staff worked with classroom teachers from three Washington, DC, schools to design art projects inspired by Multiplicity: Blackness in Contemporary American Collage. The projects enhanced students’ classroom learning through arts integration and met the unique needs and interests of each class. The students explored the various parts of their lives to create artworks that reflect the complexities of identity, community, and individuality.

Spend time with the 120 student works, in the galleries or online. What are the layers of your identity? What do you reveal and what do you conceal?

On View
Turner Elementary School, Kindergarten, Medical & Educational Support
Rocketship Legacy Prep, Grade 4
Washington School for Girls, DC, Grades 6, 7, 8 


IMAGE: Artwork by Destiny, Washington School for Girls student artist

Turner Elementary School, Kindergarten, Medical & Educational Support

SCHOOL: Turner Elementary School

MATERIALS: Paper, photographs, foam, fabric.

ARTWORK INSPIRATION: Jamea Richmond-Edwards, Archetype of a 5 Star, 2018

Kindergarten and Medical & Educational Support students explored their identities through the creation of vibrant collages. Inspired by artists featured in Multiplicity, including James Richmond-Edwards, Deborah Roberts, and Helina Metaferia, the students incorporated photographs they took of each other to offer intimate glimpses into their lives and personalities. These collages serve as visual narratives, inviting viewers to see each student’s identity and personality.

A person with a colorful dress on, made of different fabrics.

Jamea Richmond-Edwards, Archetype of a 5 Star, 2018

Participating Students

Raci

Khimari

Zavion

Quataz

Amaya

Hayden

Jamari

Emery

Ryza

Janaih

Faith

Delani

Angelo-Avery

Ava

Javon

Royalty

Journei

Angel

Ayden

Sanaa

DeVaughn

Ronald

Kamontay

Kayden

Khalil

Purple paper with a picture of a girl covered in paper pieces.

Amaya

Green paper collage with a picture of a boy posing.

Angelo Avery

Yellow paper with collaged materials.

Anonymous

Blue paper with collaged materials.

Ava

Yellow paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Ayden

Black paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Bailey

Paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Cortes

Blue paper with collaged materials and shapes.

Darrion

Blue paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Delani

Orange paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

DeVaughn

Red paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Emery

Blue paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Faith

Purple paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Hayden

Yellow paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Jamau

Purple paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Janiah

Green paper with collaged materials.

Kayden

Purple paper with collaged materials.

Khalil

Blue paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Khimari

Red paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Monte

Red paper with a photo of a child and tin foil.

Raci

Red paper with collaged pieces in the shape of a cat.

Royalty

Red paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Ryza

Green paper with a photo of a child and collaged materials.

Sanaa

Light blue paper with a photo of a child and collaged pieces.

Zavion

Rocketship Legacy Prep, Grade 4

SCHOOL: Rocketship Legacy Prep

MATERIALS: Canvas, burlap, jeans, hair twists, beads, paper, acrylic, gel paint, cotton, embroidery thread.

ARTWORK INSPIRATION: Tscahabala Self, Sprewell, 2020

Inspired by Tschabalala Self’s Sprewell, fourth grade students captured moments from their lives in collage. Like Self, students chose to highlight everyday scenes, celebrating the diverse experiences that shape their lives.

Two people kissing in a room with the scene of a bridge out the window.

Tscahabala Self, Sprewell, 2020

Participating Students

Makenzie A.

Tyler A.

U’Nique B.

Kahrema B.

Loyal B.

Jamar C.

Dujuan D.

Brittani E.

Donovan F.

Ayden F.

Aria G.

Geonni G.

Avery H.T.

Alonna H.

Lyric H.

Messiah H.

Dakari K.

Amiyah K.

Kyrah L.

Amani L.

Isaac M.

K’Aari S.

Le’Nia S.

Dekahri S.

Taylor S.

Wainia S.

Devonte W.

Josiah W.

Ari W.

Aarian Z.

Paige A.

Syncere B.

Roniah B.

Davon B.

Lani B.

Za’Nyya C.M.

Autumn E.

Yasmin E.

Mikaiah G.

Chase G.

Leila H.

Jamiya H.

Adrian K.

Summer N.

Dyllan P.C.

Kyden R.

Knova R.

Jordyn R.

William R.

Kevin S.

Jordan S.

Lyric S.

Kavon S. F.

Korey R.

Khayn T.

Donte’ W.

Samuel W.

Bradley W.

Asan Y.

Painted canvas with gems and a person with long hair.
Painted canvas with fabric swirling down in a half circle.
A yellow sun above two cars and a person walking.
A circle with a variety of stickers and hair pieces.
Circle with a variety of colorful fabric stickers and gems.
Painted canvas with a sun, trees, and a face with a gold crown.
Blue painted canvas with stickers and gems.
Pink painted canvas with a large smiley face and stickers.
Pink painted canvas with a person next to a sun and tree.
Green painted canvas with various pieces of paper.
Blue painted canvas with a store filled with food stickers.
Circle canvas with flowers and stickers.
Circle canvas with various stickers.
Circle canvas with a person smiling and sticker gems.
Yellow painted canvas with a person saying, "Cool".
Blue painted canvas with stick figures playing soccer.
Blue painted canvas with glued beads and two braided strands of hair.
Pink painted canvas with stickers and a ribbon of fabric.
Blue painted canvas with gems and a red, blue Eiffel Tower.
Pink painted canvas with sticker gems and stick figures.
Pink painted canvas with sticker gems and a red car.
A soccer sticker in a circle of orange and green spikes.
Blue painted canvas with a sun sticker and gems.
Blue painted canvas with various stickers and gems.
Blue painted canvas with stickers, paper, and gems.
Painted canvas with stickers and gems.
Painted canvas with food stickers and gems.
Yellow painted canvas with a person and a "FRIES" sticker.
Red painted canvas with windows, hair braids, and the word, "game".

Washington School for Girls, DC, Grades 6, 7, 8

SCHOOL: Washington School for Girls

MATERIALS: Mixed media with hand cut and torn elements.

ARTIST INSPIRATION: Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series, Panel No. 23: The Migration Spread, 1940-41

Middle school students headed to The White House this spring with The Phillips Collection education staff to learn about Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series. The young artists connected Lawrence’s subject matter to today and each created a panel about their communities, which are displayed here. Beneath each artwork is a seven word story crafted by the artist.

A painting of a large crowd of people at a train station heading to Chicago, New York, and St. Louis

Jacob Lawrence, The Migration Series, Panel No. 23: The Migration Spread, 1940-41

Participating Students

Demi A.

Jaila Ha.

Kennedi G.

London Jo.

Janelys J.

Mya S.

Constance Ho.

Charli P.

Treyah N.

Khloe N.

Aziza W.

Makayla Br.

Trinity H.

Destiny S.

Gabriella P.

Breyah J.

Skylar H.

Nahla F.

Breonna L.

Zoey L.

Hanna M.

Elaina M.

Paper collage of a tree and bushes with flowers.

Watching a cupcake sunset relaxing in nature.

Paper collage of a sun, rain, and mountain.

Three stages: sun, rain, and muddy puddles. 

Paper collage of a girl standing with her hands on hips.

black girl magic black girl magic.

Paper collage of a forest under the sun.

Sun out, ocean singing, birds chirping, good.

Paper collage of a water scene made of tissue paper.

white black dots, light blue tissue paper.

Paper collage of a Starbucks cup among hearts and flowers.

It’s mostly about starting over in life.

Paper collage with various pinks and dotted squares.

Separation brings us together with pink similarities

Paper collage with words written on two torn, pink pieces.

Always shine bright and stay happy cutie.

Paper collage of a house surrounded by flower pieces.

The trash is destroying the bright things.

Paper collage of a tree.

Alone nature tree grass pop colorful: grow.

Paper collage with orange flowers in the sky and different color boxes.

Colors blend when you believe in success.

Paper collage of a sky scene with flowers beneath.

The beauty of night and day time!

Paper collage of pink, lined trees.

It shows creativity, beauty, smart, independent. Excellence.

Paper collage of a green car that says, "Family".

Family road trip in the lovely nature.

Paper collage with a pink sun and flowers beneath.

Shiny pink sun and the dark night.

Paper collage of a large sun with a person walking with a map beneath.

Traveling to freedom from slavery, for life.

Paper collage of a map with two abstract figures.

My family spreads over the continent now.

Paper collage with a large blue heart and words surrounding above.

Me, myself, community, family, thoughts, love, WSG.

Paper collage with a wavy ocean and sun above.

Water night beach sand bright blue moon.

Paper collage with a red butterfly among flowers.

Their beauty and strength give me power.

Paper collage with flowers and a yellow line through.

Tropical ocean movement, life comes in waves.

Paper collage with two suns and two large, green leaves beneath.

Under other suns they were finally home.

Paper collage with a starry night above ocean waves.

My family likes the beach at night.

Paper collage with a green structure and two pencils drawing a map.

Pencil map school learn sister, she blooms.

Paper collage with an ocean scene at night.

Clear water in calm space at night.