Dr. Debra Hardy (Assistant Professor, Art Education) spent her summer in Chicago advancing her research project “Illuminating the Expanse of Bronzeville’s Black Artist-Educator Networks, 1930’s-1960’s.”
This opportunity was a result of Hardy receiving a research fellowship with the Black Metropolis Research Consortium, which helped her dive into the history of Chicago’s art community.
“Chicago has a deep and rich and beautiful history,” said Hardy. “There have been a lot of individuals, particularly Black folks, who knew that preservation of that history was really important to their legacy.”
Hardy began her project in 2014 while she was pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Initially, her research was focused on the South Side Community Art Center in Chicago.
“I fell in love with the history and how this place was put together,” said Hardy. “What I found from that was a lot of stories, a lot of narratives, and a lot of people. It was the people that I was really interested in.”
One of the main people that Hardy took an interest in was Dr. Maragaret Burroughs, who was a multi-faceted artist, writer, educator, and more. Hardy focused much of her dissertation on Burroughs and her work as a teacher.
To support her research, Hardy visited four different archives throughout Chicago: the Art Institute of Chicago, the Vivian G. Harsh Collection, the South Side Community Center, and the DuSable Black History Museum. Hardy’s research revealed how these archives have similarities that showcase the interconnectivity of Chicago’s art community.
“Outside of the art world, a lot of people who see artists think that they’re just a lone genius,” said Hardy. “That’s not really accurate. Instead, what I found was that these networks and communities were important ways to sustain artists.”
The project has allowed Hardy to reflect on her approach to art education, especially regarding the values she wishes to instill in her UWM students.
“Working in art education, it’s always been this hybrid position where you’re an artist and you’re an educator,” said Hardy. “But realizing that those are not the only two facets of yourself. There are so many other pieces to you, to your students, and to everybody… We are multi-hyphenate.”
Hardy’s research project will continue with hopes of working with the community of archivists she interacted with in Chicago.
Story by Jason McCullum ’25