If you've got a dime in your pocket then you are familiar
with this women’s work as a sculptress. But there was a lot more to Selma Burke
than just the plaque of Franklin Roosevelt which she created in 1945 for another project. (More about that dime later.) I first became acquainted with Ms. Burke’s contributions to
the world of art and education when I entered the old Mooresville Town Library back in the late
1990’s. There was a plaque of her - a portrait on wood – which still hangs
there today, right where the old and new libraries are joined together.
Ms. Burke (who shares the same last name as my paternal
great-grand parents) was born in Mooresville, North Carolina on the last day of
the year 1900. Her father was a farmer and church Minister, while her mother
did everything else.
Young Selma was interested in art at a very early age, but
her mother was a pragmatic woman and wanted her to learn something which would
lead to secure employment. Accordingly, she became a Nurse, graduating from St,
Agnes Training School in Raleigh in 1924. From there she moved to Harlem, which
was still in the throes of the great Harlem Renaissance. What a change this
must have been for a farm girl from Mooresville, North Carolina! It was while
in New York that she began her first job as a Nurse.
The Harlem Arts Community Center was an integral part of the
Harlem Renaissance, and it was there that Ms. Burke was able to meet with some
of artists who would influence her to take that great leap; from the security
of nursing to taking a chance on following her dreams. Cautiously, she kept the
day job, and sculpted at night.
Her early work was good enough for her to attain 2 grants;
The Rosenwald in 1935, and the Boehler in
1936. She also received money from the Foundation Grants program in the late
1930’s which enabled her to study abroad. Places like Vienna and Paris were now
not just a dream; they were her new reality. This period of her life and
studies earned her a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University in
1941.
Contrary to what many believe the bust of Franklin
Roosevelt was never a bust at all; rather it started out as a plaque done while
the President was still alive and in office. It was part of a project to honor
the “Four Freedoms”, which was a cornerstone of FDR’s post war vision of
guaranteeing peace and security foe the world.
The plaque was completed in early 1945. On March 10th
Eleanor Roosevelt visited Selma Burke in her studio to view the finished work.
She echoed what many people have opined since the Roosevelt Dime was issued in
1946. She thought that Ms. Burke had portrayed him as “too young.” Ms. Burke
told the First Lady, "I’ve not done it for today, but for tomorrow and
tomorrow." It measured 3.5’ by 2.5’
and was unveiled in September 1945 at the Recorder of Deeds Building in
Washington. It still resides there today. Now the story gets a bit tricky.
John R. Sinnock was the Chief Engraver at the Bureau of
Engraving. In 1946, the year after Roosevelt had died in office, he was asked
to design a new dime to honor the fallen President. It’s obvious, in my
opinion, that he merely lifted the profile from the original work by Ms. Burke,
using it as the obverse on the new dime and placing his initials; JS; below the
work. Even when confronted with the similarity in the design of the two
depictions he vehemently denied it.
Ms. Burke paid it no mind at all, continuing to focus on
teaching art to others. She established schools in New York and Pittsburgh. The
Pittsburgh school is fondly remembered as having contributed greatly to that
cities cultural renaissance. The seeds first planted in Harlem were finally bearing
fruit. She was also a Public School teacher there for 17 years.
She spent most of her final years at her studio in Buck’s
County, Pennsylvania. It was there, while working on a project to honor Rosa Parks
that she died. It was August 29, 1995. Her biggest contribution is probably
having devoted her life to furthering the education of others while instilling
within them a love of art.
