Grady Elementary was selected to participate in the Florida State Fair Black History Art Exhibit. The theme for each school had to be based on Tampa's black history. The students completed art based on the prominent African-Americans that visited the Jackson Rooming House located on Zack Street in downtown Tampa. This was the only hotel where African-Americans could stay during segregation. It was built in 1901 by Moses and Sarah Jackson and was in business until the late 1980s.
To create the exhibit, groups of 5-6 students drew pictures of the guests of Jackson House. The students enlarged the photos using the grid system. The students used ebony pencils to draw the pictures. Art Specialist, Debonique Grigsby, assembled the pictures plus additional student art to make a gorgeous three-dimensional exhibit.
This was an impressive and educational exhibit and many students came out to see the finished product. To see pictures of the students and the exhibit, please click here: Jackson House Exhibit.
For more information about the Jackson House, please click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Rooming_House and here: