What Shall I Tell the Children
Learning Together: Art Education and Community

UIC Gallery 400, September 05, 2024–March 15, 2025

What Shall I Tell the Children is a series of photographs, taken by artist Faheem Majeed, of black and white linocut prints produced by Dr. Margaret Burroughs (1915 – 2010) which can be found in vast number Chicago Public Schools.  Burroughs’ print works depicted positive images of women, notable black figures, and scenes of racial unity.  For Majeed, these prints represent a time when Burroughs either visited the school to speak with students or donated prints to a principal or teacher to encourage and thank them for their tireless work and commitment.

Burroughs once challenged Majeed as an artist asking “What will you tell the children? What is the legacy that you will leave?” These questions resonated with Majeed and remain top of mind when considering Burroughs’ life. A talented artist and poet, Burroughs had numerous achievements including the creation 100’s of original linoleum block and woodcut prints, numerous poetry publications, founding the DuSable Museum of African American History, the African American Museums Association, the South Side Community Art Center, and the National Conference of Artists.

 In addition to teaching out of her home in Bronzeville, which was the original site of the DuSable Museum, she also taught at DuSable High School for more than 20 years.  Teaching and inspiring youth was at the core of her life’s work. 

 Schools included in this series are Daniel Hale Williams Preparatory School of Medicine Jean Baptiste Point DuSable High School, Wendell Phillips Academy High School, Arthur Dixon Elementary School, and William H. Ryder Math & Science Specialty Elementary School.

In addition to Faheem Majeed, exhibiting artists include Paulina Camacho and Nicole Marroquin, Margaret Burroughs, Casa Aztlan, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, Chicago Public Art Group, Community TV Network, Diana Solís, Dixon Elementary School, Gallery 37, Jordan Knecht, Keith Haring, Little Black Pearl, Pros Arts Studio, Spiral Workshop, Stockyard Institute, Yollocalli Arts Reach, among others.

Curated by Denny Mwaura