I Know a Man…Ashley Bryan

Versatile African-American artist and educator Ashley Bryan opens up about his life in this documentary from filmmaker Richard Kane. Born in Harlem in 1923, Bryan lives on Little Cranberry Island, ME, where he's become a beloved member of the community. Aside from a museum dedicated to his work, his sea glass mosaics adorn the local Lutheran church. During the course of the film, Bryan paints, makes prints, and reads from his children's books for enthusiastic audiences in America, Kenya, and South Africa (he has also illustrated books by Langston Hughes and Nikki Giovanni, who praises his contributions). In addition, Bryan constructs puppets from found materials, such as gloves and mussel shells. His father hailed from Antigua, and Bryan grew up in the Bronx. Despite a wealth of talent and dedication, his attempts to secure a scholarship met with rejection until he applied to Cooper Union, which had a colorblind admissions process. Even after being drafted during World War II, Bryan found time to study in Glasgow and took his sketchbook everywhere he went, including Omaha Beach in Normandy. Afterward, he studied in New York and France, and taught at Dartmouth University. Bryan credits his faith and family for keeping him sane after the war. That faith has also led him to contribute linoleum cuts to hymnals, illustrating the connections between Negro spirituals and the slave trade. A recent Newbery Honor winner, Bryan is a man whose positive attitude and boundless creativity should be an inspiration for both students and instructors in the fields of visual arts and African-American history. The institutional release includes the full-length version, a 56-minute cut, and a 32-minute abridgement for classroom use. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (K. Fennessy)