Clarence
Oliver
LaGrone
Born:
12/09/1906
McAlester
Died: 10/01/1995
Parents: William L. and Lula E. LaGrone
Spouse: Irmah Cooke
Children: Lotus Johnson
Address(es):
last known address Detroit, MI , MI
Died: 10/01/1995
Parents: William L. and Lula E. LaGrone
Spouse: Irmah Cooke
Children: Lotus Johnson
Address(es):
last known address Detroit, MI , MI
Writings
| Image | Title | Genre | Audience | Publisher | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dawnfire and Other Poems - Illustrated with photographs of sculptures by the author |
Poetry | Adult | Detroit, MI : Lotus Press | 1989 | |
|
The Study of Literature (high school text) - In various anthologies |
Non Fiction | Adult | Boston, MA : Ginn & Company | 1978 | |
|
Negro Poetry 1764-1970 - His work has appeared in this work edited by the late Langston Hughes and Arna Bontemps |
Poetry | Adult | Garden City, NY: Doubleday | 1970 | |
| They Speak of Dawns; A Duo-Poem Written for the Centennial Year of the Emancipation Proclamation: 1863 | Poetry | Adult | self-published | 1963 | |
| Beyond the Blues | Poetry | Adult | London, England : Hand and Flower Press | 1962 | |
| Footfalls | Non Fiction | Adult | Detroit, MI : Darel Press | 1949 | |
| - Articles have appeared in Bulletin Negro History and others | Poetry |
What is the aim or goal of your writing:
2nd ed. says, "Oliver La Grone was the first Negro American to be enrolled at Cranbrook Art Academy, where he studied sculpture under Carl Milles. He has held one man sculpture shows in Michigan and New Mexico. Mr. La Grone also studied art and special education at Wayne State University. He conducts private classes in sculpture for adults and children. He lectures and reads poetry, "his own and the Negros." Mr. La Grone's poetry and sculpture reflect his early years of struggle and variety of hard, physically taxing jobs, as well as the discipline of study.
May inquiries be sent to you about doing workshops, readings: No
Donated books to the Authors & Illustrators database project: No
Skills:
Author
Illustrator
Poet
Awards:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Awarded two citations, Eighty Fifth Legislature, State of Michigan | 1990 |
| Award of Recognition, Major and City of Harrisburg, February 3, 1983 declared "Oliver LaGrone Day" | 1983 |
| Memorial Plaque Award, Ethelen Jones Crockett American Lung Association | 1981 -1982 |
| Kappa Alpha Psi Public Service Award | 1981 |
| Governor's Award as Outstanding Artist of Pennsylvania | 1980 -1981 |
| Scholarship fund named in his honor, Unitarian Church, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | 1974 |
| First Prize, Michigan Poetry Society | 1966 |
| Detroit Chapter Howard University, Alumni of the Year | 1965 |
| WPA Competitive Commission Award | 1935 |
| Cited with engraved commendation, and later a plaque by Friends of Oliver LaGrone | |
| Poetry and sculpture featured in film produced by the Detroit Board of Education and Wayne State University |
Inclusion in biographical or critical works:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Michigan Authors, 3rd edition | 1993 |
| Michigan Authors, 2nd ed. | 1980 |
| Michigan Poets | 1964 |
| Michigan Authors, 1st ed. | 1960 |
| Arts Source Book | |
| Who's Who in Black America |
Memberships:
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Advisory Board, Metropolitan Educational and Cultural Activities Association | 1954 -1969 |
| Appointed member to Michigan Council for the Arts | 1966 |
| Honorary membership, Harrisburg Rotary Club | 1980 |
Education:
| Degree | Institution | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| - Graduate work in art and special education | Wayne State University | Detroit , MI | 1956 -1960 |
| - Awarded McGregor Fund Grant for advanced study in sculpture with Carl Milles | Cranbrook Art Academy | Bloomfield Hills , MI | 1940 -1942 |
|
Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) in education
- Majors in fine arts and sociology |
University of New Mexico | Albuquerque , NM | 1938 |
| Howard University | Washington , District of Columbia | 1928 -1930 |
Career:
| Position | Organization | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board Director | Oliver LaGrone Scholarship Fund | 1974 -1985 | |
| Special Assistant | Pennsylvania State University | University Park | 1970 -1974 |
| Teacher | Detroit Public Schools | Detroit , MI | 1956 -1957 |
|
International Representative
- During the McCarthy era, Oliver was asked by the Detroit Loyalty Committee to act as an informant and provide “communist” information on his contacts in the art world, particularly Paul Robeson. LaGrone refused, lost his UAW job as a result and had to sell pots and pans door to door. |
United Auto Workers | Detroit , MI | 1948 -1953 |
|
Self-employed
- Sculpture in bronze, marble, stone, wood, cast stone, numerous one-man shows. Sculpting, lectures and exhibits and has made many television appearances, keynote speeches. Was judge in numerous art and poetry festivals. |
|||
| - Appointed to many committees | Harrisburg Human Relations Commission | ||
|
Artist-in-Residence
- Hershey Foundation, Boas Center for Learning |
Harrisburg School District | ||
| Artist-in-Residence to 21 branches | Pennsylvania State University |
Other Resources:
Last Modified On: 9/23/2013 12:00:00 AM