3 Famous Women Artists from the United States for Kids to Know
Have you ever picked up a paintbrush, molded clay, or doodled a fun design and thought, "Wow, creating art is amazing!"? Some artists turn their love for creativity into masterpieces that inspire the whole world, and guess what? They started out by picking up a paintbrush, clay, or a pencil just like the kids in our classrooms or homes.
There are three American artists who began their journey with art just like our students. These women belong on your radar, and their artistic styles are sure to inspire your young learners. Have you heard of Betye Saar, Georgia O’Keefe, or Cordelia Wilson? These three women have shaped American art history in so many ways, and each has her own unique artistic focus. It is through hands-on projects in these artists’ styles that help students learn best about them.
Because we know this is how students learn best, Outside the Box Creation has developed hands-on projects based on their works. These amazing women artists have made their mark in American art history. In this post, I’ll share why they should be included within your curriculum.
Famous American Artists:
Betye Saar (1926-Present)
Betye Saar is an African American artist known for her powerful and thought-provoking assemblage art. Assemblage art is the creation of 3 dimensional pieces made out of everyday items. Throughout her life, Betye has been a collector. As a child, she often visited her grandmother’s house where she found her inspiration in all sorts of antiques and interesting objects she saw there.
In college, Betye studied design at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and later explored printmaking before discovering her passion for assemblage art. Saar’s work is deeply rooted in themes of race, history, and spirituality, often reflecting African American identity and social justice issues.
One of Saar’s most famous works is Keep for Old Memoirs. It is a mixed-media piece that combines found objects, photographs, and antique items to explore themes of memory and history. Through this piece, she highlights the importance of preserving personal and cultural heritage, turning everyday objects into powerful symbols of the past.
I’ll share one more fun fact about Betye Saar. She’s known for using her flea market finds and discarded materials (aka trash) to tell powerful stories. She’s such an interesting person, and your students will love learning about her as they create their 3 dimensional projects.
Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986)
Georgia O’Keeffe was an American artist known for her beautiful paintings of flowers, landscapes, and abstractions. She was born in 1887 in Wisconsin and grew up on a farm, where she developed a love for nature. O’Keeffe studied art in Chicago and New York, and her unique style caught the attention of photographer and art promoter Alfred Stieglitz, who later became her husband. She became famous for her modern, bold paintings that focused on simple shapes and vibrant colors, making her one of the most important artists of the 20th century.
One of Georgia O'Keeffe's notable works is her painting Lake George. It captures the beauty of the lake in upstate New York, where she spent many summers with her husband. The painting shows the calm water, rolling hills, and changing colors of the landscape, reflecting O’Keeffe’s deep connection to nature. She used soft blues, greens, and grays to create a peaceful and dreamy feeling, making the viewer feel as if they are standing by the water.
I’ll leave you with a fun fact about Georgia O’Keeffe. She originally wanted to be a commercial artist before becoming famous for her paintings.
Learn more about Outside the Box Creation here.
You might be interested in this lesson inspired by the work of Georgia O’Keeffe:
Cordelia Wilson (1873-1953)
Cordelia Wilson was an American artist known for her beautiful Plein Air (outdoor) paintings of the Southwest landscape. She was born in 1873 and later moved to New Mexico, where she fell in love with the region’s deserts, mountains, and big skies. Wilson painted in a realistic style, capturing the warm colors and natural beauty of the land. Her artwork helped people appreciate the stunning scenery of the American West.
Some of Wilson’s most notable works feature the breathtaking landscapes of New Mexico and Arizona. She often painted red rock formations, wide-open deserts, and dramatic skies that made her scenes feel alive. Green River Gorge is a breathtaking scene of the canyon. It emphasizes light and shadow in a way that captures the rugged beauty of the American West.
A fun fact about Cordelia Wilson is that she was one of the few women painters in the early 20th century focusing on the vast desert landscapes of the Southwest.
Learn more about Outside the Box Creation here.
Hands-on Learning that Brings These Artists to Life
Teaching about famous artists in America is so much easier when you have resources that are ready and available. The Outside the Box Creation lessons are engaging and interactive. Students actually connect the artist with their artwork. With the art boxes, you can connect to specific artists within each genre of art.
Betye Saar:
For the Betye Saar kit, students create layered assemblage art following Saar’s storytelling style. Just like Saar’s use of found objects, children are encouraged to use everyday items to create meaningful art.
In case you’re interested, here’s an awesome assemblage lesson you can easily implement today!
Georgia O’Keeffe:
Make Georgia O’Keeffe’s art personal and interactive. By doing this, students can connect with her work and understand how simple subjects can be transformed into powerful works of art. For Georgia O’Keeffe kit, students can learn about modernism and still life drawings. You might look for a kit that includes painting large flowers in bright, bold colors, one of her trademarks.
Cordelia Wilson:
Cordelia Wilson was known for her Southwest art. You might look for a kit that includes creating pottery, desert paintings, desert animals, or tapestry weaving. These are all examples of art from the southwest.
Outside the Box Creation is the most comprehensive, creatively designed curriculum for homeschoolers on the market. Learn more here!
Why Study Women in Art History?
Learn more about the most comprehensive, creative curriculum on the market for homeschoolers here.
In this post, I’ve shared three women I have found inspirational in American art history, but there are others you might include such as Faith Ringgold and Mary Cassatt. If you know local artists, you might have them visit and talk about the artists that have inspired them. Studying famous women in art history is important. Here are just a few of the benefits I’ve observed.
Recognition of Contributions – Many women artists were historically overlooked. Studying them ensures their contributions to art and culture are acknowledged and celebrated.
Diversifying Perspectives – Women artists often bring unique perspectives, themes, and techniques to life which inspires future artists.
Inspiration & Representation – Learning about successful women in art history inspires future generations, showing that artistic excellence is not limited by gender.
Final thoughts…
As teachers, we know how important keeping students engaged is to memory, concept mastery, and longterm retention. Connecting the historical context and information to a hands-on project utilizes auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning styles. I encourage you to include these amazing women artists’ work and ideas in your lessons and to check out the Outside of the Box Creations kits for ready to use lessons.
Do you have other artists you’d add to the list? Comment below with who you love and ideas you’d share.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
Perfect for anyone who thrives on hands-on, visually engaging activities, the Social Emotional Skills with Vincent Van Gogh pack brings art and emotion together to support holistic growth. Ready to make a meaningful impact on your homeschool journey?
Shop Workbooks on Amazon
Affiliate Disclosure: Party in the Art Room is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on this site, a commission may be earned.
Get to know Amanda Koonlaba!
Hi! I’m Amanda. Teaching children to be creative thinkers is my greatest joy. I’m here to help you bring that same joy to your classroom.
This guide is packed with 25 ideas for using art to teach math and ELA. It’s arts integration for the win!
I want all students to feel successful in the art room, so I created a standards-based Daffodil Collage lesson to do just that! The lesson includes an artist study, student reflection, and more, so push your artists to their full potential.
