Educational Media Reviews Online

Director and producer Cintia Cabib’s short documentary Kindred Spirits profiles the contributions of two little known African American art educators and artists, Hilda Wilkinson Brown (aunt), and Lilian Thomas Burwell (niece). Narrated by Gwendolyn Briley-Strand, this informative short program provides insight into the history of black influential women artists in the Washington, D.C. area, and highlights their resilience to barriers such as segregation and the Great Depression. Kindred Spirits, offers a rare glimpse of early 20th century life in America as seen through the lens of a well-educated, and relatively affluent African American family.

Most notable is Hilda Wilkinson Brown’s contributions as an artist and illustrator for The Crisis, the official and influential magazine of the NAACP. By 1920, W.E.B. DuBois enlists Ms. Brown to serve as artist and illustrator for The Brownie’s Book, the first of its kind for all children, particularly African American children. Both women soon become art educators at segregated teacher’s colleges in the D.C. area. Unfortunately, because of segregation, these artistic dynamos are unable to display their works in major art houses or galleries. Instead, the women are relegated to showcase their work in private homes, and at historic black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Lilian’s vivid recollections and retelling of her and her aunt’s experiences define how a tight-knit community can lift each other up through black owned art galleries, and how promoting each other serve as examples of resilience in the black community.

The casual viewer might not find Kindred Spirits all that interesting. However, as a PBS production, it is an excellent resource for all ages studying art history. I highly recommend this film for all ages studying art history.

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