Kindred Spirits: Artists Wilkinson Brown and Lilian Thomas Burwell

Portrait of a Girl by Hilda Wilkinson Brown

This film explores the unique relationship between an African American aunt and niece, who became accomplished artists and educators.

And, they did so despite the hardships of the Great Depression and the inequities of racial segregation. Throughout this exploration of their art and careers, a third portrait emerges: that of a segregated Washington, D.C. where, denied the same access and advantages as their white colleagues, Black artists seized educational opportunities, became prominent faculty members of African American schools, and established their own venues to exhibit and publish their work. Kindred Spirits: Artists Wilkinson Brown and Lilian Thomas Burwell airs Thursday, February 25 at 8:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV.