Nationality American Known for Sculpture Name Ed Dwight | Years of service 1953–1966 Website www.eddwight.com | |
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Allegiance United States of America Service/branch | ||
Ed dwight the african american astronaut who never flew
Edward Joseph (Ed) Dwight Jr. (born September 9, 1933) is an African-American sculptor and former test pilot who was the first African American to be trained as an astronaut.
Contents
- Ed dwight the african american astronaut who never flew
- Ed dwight sculptures in his studio
- Early life
- Piloting
- Astronaut training
- Sculpting
- Notable sculptures
- References
Ed dwight sculptures in his studio
Early life
Dwight was born in the Kansas City, Kansas area on September 9, 1933 to Edward Dwight Sr. and Georgia Baker Dwight. His father played second baseman for the Kansas City Monarchs.
As a child, he was an avid reader and talented artist who was mechanically gifted and enjoyed working with his hands.
Piloting
Dwight joined the United States Air Force in 1953. In 1957, while serving as an Air Force test pilot, he earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Arizona State University. He received the rank of captain while serving in the Air Force.
Astronaut training
In 1961, the Kennedy administration selected Dwight as the first African American astronaut trainee, at the suggestion of the National Urban League's Whitney Young. His selection garnered international media attention, and Dwight appeared on the covers of newsmagazines such as Ebony, Jet, and Sepia.
Despite facing discrimination from other astronauts, Dwight persevered until the assassination of President Kennedy, after which government officials created a threatening atmosphere and he was assigned to be a liaison officer in Germany to a non-existent German test pilot school. As a result of this climate, he resigned from the Air Force in 1966.
Sculpting
After resigning from the Air Force, Dwight worked as an engineer, in real estate, and for IBM. He learned how to operate the University of Denver's metal casting foundry in the mid 1970s, and received a Master of Fine Arts from the University in 1977.
Each of Dwight's pieces involves blacks and civil rights activists. Most of the pieces depict only black people, but the Underground Railroad Sculpture in Battle Creek also honors Erastus and Sarah Hussey, who were conductors on the Underground Railroad. Dwight's first major works was a commission in 1974 to create a sculpture of Colorado Lieutenant Governor George L. Brown. Soon after, he was commissioned by the Colorado Centennial Commission to create a series of bronze sculptures entreated "Black Frontier in the American West."
Soon after his completion of his "Black Frontier in the American West" exhibit, Dwight created a series of over 70 bronze sculptures at the St. Louis Arch Museum at the request of the National Park Service. The series, "Jazz: An American Art Form", depicts the evolution of jazz and features jazz performers such as Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, and Charlie Parker.
Dwight owns and operates Ed Dwight Studios, based in Denver, Colorado.
He is recognized for innovative use of negative space in sculpting.
Notable sculptures
Dwight has created over 100 public art sculptures, including: