The Sculptors of Light: Poems about Cuban Women Artists - by Margarita Engle (Hardcover)

About the Book

From folk art to photography, architecture to painting, sculpture to music, female Cuban artists have long gone unnoticed on a global scale. This poetry collection highlights the lives and legacies of eight Cuban women who have redefined art in their communities.

Book Synopsis

2025 Notable Social Studies Trade Book List by NCSS/CBC From the enchanting world of folk art to the captivating realms of photography, architecture, painting, sculpture, and music, the talent of Cuban women artists has long remained hidden on a global stage. The Sculptors of Light pays homage to the diverse tapestry of Cuban culture, where Indigenous, Spanish, West African, and Chinese influences blend seamlessly. For generations, women with ancestral roots tracing back to the Taíno and Ciboney peoples have skillfully melded their Native traditions with art forms from Spain, Africa, and China. These extraordinary women have crafted objects of grace and strength, whether through lace, embroidery, ceramics, or other forms of expression. Yet, their names often went unrecorded, their fame unclaimed, and their art, though no less remarkable, was often relegated to smaller labels such as "handicrafts," "tradition," "folk art," or "women's work." Celebrate these nameless but immensely talented artists, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on Cuban art and culture. The Sculptors of Light is a poetic tribute to these unsung heroines, shedding light on their remarkable lives and legacies. Available in both English and Spanish, this collection is a testament to the enduring power of creativity, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of Cuban women artists.

About the Author

Margarita Engle is the Cuban-American author of many verse novels, memoirs, and picture books, including The Surrender Tree, Enchanted Air, Drum Dream Girl, and Dancing Hands. Awards include a Newbery Honor, Pura Belpré, Golden Kite, Walter, Jane Addams, PEN U.S.A., and NSK Neustadt, among others. Margarita served as the national 2017-2019 Young People's Poet Laureate. She is a three-time U.S. nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Book Award. Her most recent books are Your Heart, My Sky, A Song of Frutas, Light for All, Rima's Rebellion, and Singing With Elephants. Margarita was born in Los Angeles, but developed a deep attachment to her mother's homeland during childhood summers with relatives on the island. She studied agronomy, botany, and creative writing, and now lives in central California with her husband.