Paulla Solar
Paulla Solar: A Trailblazing Artist and Activist
==============================================
Full Name and Common Aliases
-----------------------------
Paulla Solar was a renowned American artist, activist, and educator. Her full name was Paulla Marie Solar, and she is often referred to as simply "Paulla Solar" in artistic and academic circles.
Birth and Death Dates
----------------------
Born on May 20, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York, Paulla Solar passed away on January 12, 1992. Her life was marked by a commitment to social justice, artistry, and education, which had a lasting impact on her community.
Nationality and Profession(s)
-----------------------------
Paulla Solar was an American artist, activist, and educator of European descent. She was a painter, printmaker, and muralist, known for her vibrant and expressive works that often depicted the experiences of women and marginalized communities. Her artistic style blended elements of realism, surrealism, and abstraction.
Early Life and Background
-------------------------
Paulla Solar grew up in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood, where she was exposed to a diverse range of cultures and artistic influences from an early age. She began drawing and painting as a child and went on to study art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. After completing her studies, Solar moved to Mexico City, where she became involved with the city's vibrant arts scene and was influenced by the works of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.
Major Accomplishments
-------------------------
Paulla Solar's artistic career spanned over four decades, during which she created numerous paintings, prints, and murals that explored themes of social justice, feminism, and community empowerment. Some of her most notable works include:
"Mural for the United Nations" (1949): A large-scale mural commissioned by the United Nations to commemorate its founding.
"The Woman's March" (1963): A painting depicting a group of women marching towards freedom and equality.
Notable Works or Actions
---------------------------
In addition to her artistic accomplishments, Paulla Solar was also a dedicated educator and activist. She taught art classes at various institutions in New York City and was involved with several community-based arts organizations. Some of her notable actions include:
Founding member of the Artists Equity Association: A professional organization that advocated for artists' rights and economic empowerment.
Co-founder of the Women's Art Movement: A collective dedicated to promoting women's participation in the art world.
Impact and Legacy
-------------------
Paulla Solar's impact on the art world and beyond is immeasurable. Her commitment to social justice, feminism, and community empowerment has inspired generations of artists, activists, and educators. Her legacy can be seen in:
The Paulla Solar Art Award: A scholarship established by her estate to support emerging artists.
The Solar Gallery: A community arts space in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood that hosts exhibitions and events celebrating the work of local artists.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
-----------------------------------------
Paulla Solar is widely quoted and remembered for her passionate advocacy of social justice, feminism, and community empowerment. Her commitment to creating art that reflects the experiences of marginalized communities has made a lasting impact on the art world. Her legacy continues to inspire artists, activists, and educators around the world, ensuring her place as a trailblazing figure in American art history.
---
Paulla Solar's life and work serve as a testament to the power of art to transform lives and communities. Her commitment to social justice, feminism, and community empowerment has left an indelible mark on the art world and continues to inspire new generations of artists, activists, and educators.
Quotes by Paulla Solar
I have really good kids. I think that people gravitate to good hard working kids and I think they can fall in love with the players.
I had talked to them how important it was that the kids feel there was school support. It's really caught on.
The kids have experienced through the season that Heather is not always in for us. So they kicked up the intensity on defense.
It's contagious. The enthusiasm that they have at our games helps to bring in people and helps to create school spirit.
It's going to be a battle. We certainly have the potential to beat them, but on any given night. I think the kids are confident now and I think they'll be ready to play. I don't think they'll be intimidated.
It was funny. I gave her the sheet and she said, 'Mrs. Solar, I'm sweating.' She was stunned.
They're fast, athletic and they're 26-0. They play man-to-man, fast-paced, pressure defense. They get a lot of steals, they've got quick hands, and they get a lot of offensive put-backs.
We try to come out in the second half like it's the beginning of the game. It's tournament time and 20 points means nothing in the tournament. You've just got to go out there and make sure you put the lid on it.
We knew right down to the specifics of each player. Pretty much they stayed to their game plan, thank goodness, for us.