Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina Teacher Resource

Considered through the lens of current scholarship in the fields of history, literature, anthropology, material culture, diaspora, and African American studies, these nineteenth-century vessels testify to the lived experiences, artistic agency, and material knowledge of those who created them. The works include monumental storage jars by literate potter and poet Dave (later recorded as David Drake, ca. 1801–1870s) and rare examples of utilitarian wares and face vessels by unrecorded makers, including a ca. 1840 water cooler jug from the High’s collection. Hear Me Now will also link the past to the present with work by leading contemporary Black artists who have responded to or whose practice connects with the Edgefield story, including Theaster Gates, Simone Leigh, and Woody De Othello.

Ondrian Reid graduated from the University of Georgia with a BFA in art education and earned a MA in art education from the University of Florida. She began teaching with Fulton County Schools in 2004 and works at Haynes Bridge Middle School. She is also a fine arts support team member working to support the middle school art teachers in her county and a visual arts learning architect. She has a special love for middle school–aged children and enjoys watching her students grow as people and artists during this transitional time in their lives. She aims for her students to be able to connect with their art making on a personal level and gain an understanding that the arts are for all people. As an artist, she works mainly with pen and ink, which competes with her passion for quilting. 

Martha Arrington graduated from Georgia State University with a BFA in Art Education and a concentration in ceramics. She taught for ten years in Fulton County where she was part of the Curriculum Writing team, a Fine Arts Support Teacher, and Teacher of the Year at River Eves Elementary. She left the classroom for six years to work at the fundraising company Square 1 Art, helping schools raise funds through the arts. She returned to the classroom in 2021 to work for Columbia County Schools near Augusta, GA. She is currently a graduate student at Boston University pursuing her MA in Art Education. When she is not in the classroom, she enjoys making art and being outdoors. As an artist her work is centered around creating patterns which she applies to drawings, paintings and ceramics. 

For over 25 years, Native Atlantan Michael Martin has been teaching visual arts, studio art, history of art, and social studies to High School students in five metro area counties in the Atlanta suburbs. Michael earned his BFA in Drawing and Painting from the University of Georgia (1988). After 60 hours of Masters work at Georgia State simultaneously majoring in the MAED in Art Education and the MA in History of Art while working as a security employee of the HIGH in the mid-1990s, Michael transferred to Piedmont College, where he became acquainted with the legacy of Foxfire, and its connection to the history of Blue Ridge arts, crafts, and ways of life. At Piedmont, he earned the MAT in 1998, along with initial certifications in Art (P-12) and Secondary Social Sciences (6-12).  While he taught high school studio art classes in the first decade of his career, he has been a Fulton County Schools teacher since 2008, where he has taught mostly social studies (Advanced Placement courses in United States History and World History, History of Art, Human Geography, and European History). Recently, he began his PhD studies at Georgia State University with a strong interest in Black African American Studies and Cultural Stream. Having worked on an FCS committee to develop an on-level Black African American Studies elective, he was both intrigued and thrilled to be asked to participate in developing this lesson for Hear Me Now: The Black Potters of Old Edgefield, South Carolina. 

Ms. Jennifer Baynes is an instructional designer at Benjamin Banneker High School. She has worked in the field of education for over a decade as a facilitator, coach, and mentor. At Banneker High School, her dedication to education extends beyond curriculum development.  

 She has been instrumental in teaching a Pilot AP African American Studies elective, providing students with an in-depth exploration of the rich tapestry of African American contributions to our nation’s history. Additionally, her role in teaching several Social Science Courses such as:  AP Human Geography, World Geography, World History, American Government and U.S. History has allowed her to engage students in critical discussions about global issues, fostering a sense of curiosity and awareness.

In addition to selflessly serving in the community, Jennifer is a loving mother of one daughter. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in History/General Social Sciences from Alabama A&M University. Upon completion of her bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University, she obtained a master’s degree in education with a concentration in Adult Development and Training, from Strayer University. She’s also a native of Cleveland, Ohio, by the way of Huntsville and Phenix City, Alabama. Continually working towards inspiring, empowering, and changing lives! 

Ms. Baynes is passionate about creating a learning environment that encourages inclusivity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. As a committed educator, she is eager to continue contributing to students and the school community’s growth and success. She welcomes the opportunity to discuss how her experiences and skills align with the educational goals of educational communities.

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