Charlotte Lewis
Portland-based artist, activist, teacher
Charlotte Lewis was a Portland-based African American artist whose legacy reverberates through the community through her art, teachings, and activism.
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Charlotte Lewis (1934-1999) was deeply committed to her community. She also had a special passion for working with children, which is why Albina Head Start is honored to include her illustration of children playing jump rope in our organization’s logo.
Charlotte also illustrated learning materials and coloring books that are still used at Albina Head Start today, including “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Life,” as well as a book that we offer parents: “Reading With Young Children.” Her enduring work reflects the child-centered, self-directed curriculum we are engaged in at Albina Head Start.
Charlotte believed art should be accessible to everyone and used her work to inform, teach, and celebrate the achievements of African Americans. (You can find examples of her work here.) She taught at the Black Educational Center and in Portland Public Schools for many years. At the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, she curated an exhibition of found-object art created by children, demonstrating her commitment to fostering creativity and cultural exploration. She also introduced students to their heritage through art, including connecting them with figures like Senegalese dignitary Cheik Ibrahim Niang.
Her love for children and their artistic potential was evident in her teaching. She nurtured their unexplored talents with joy and excitement, leaving a lasting impact on those she mentored.