Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller

Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller was a pioneering African American sculptor whose work captured themes of racial identity, resilience, and social justice. Born in Philadelphia in 1877, she displayed artistic talent early and trained at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art (now the University of the Arts). In 1899, she traveled to Paris, where she studied under renowned sculptors, including Auguste Rodin, who admired her work and encouraged her development.

In 1909, Fuller married Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller, a pioneering Black psychiatrist, and they settled in Framingham, Massachusetts, becoming one of the town’s first Black families. Despite racial and gender barriers, she continued her artistic career while raising their three children, transforming her home into both a creative space and a hub for intellectual and artistic engagement. Her sculptures reflected themes of African American history, spirituality, and struggle. One of her most celebrated works, Ethiopia Awakening (1914), symbolized Black liberation and cultural identity, marking her as a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance. 

She was also commissioned to create sculptures honoring African American soldiers of the Civil War. Though often overlooked in mainstream art circles due 

to racism and sexism, Fuller persisted, using her work to elevate the Black experience. She lived in Framingham for nearly six decades, continuing to create and advocate for African American artists. Fuller passed away in 1968, but her legacy lives on. Her former home is now a recognized historic site, and her sculptures are displayed in major museums, ensuring her contributions continue to inspire generations.