One famous artist was Aaron Douglas. Aaron Douglas's art represented the "New Negro" which was a philosophy to recreate the stereotypical image of African-Americans one of which being the ex-slave image. In 1940 he moved to Nashville Tennessee and he founded the Art Department at Fisk University and taught there for 29 years. Aaron Douglas was important because he changed the stereotypical ex-slave image of African-Americans.
Lois Mailou Jones attended the School of Museum of Fine Art during a time of great discrimination towards African Americans. Because of this discrimination Lois Jones could not enter competitions and if she did and won her award would be taken away. Therefore she sent her art pieces to one of her white friends to enter the competition and then they would give her the award. Lois Mailou Jones was important to the Harlem Renaissance because she was an advocate for African and Haitian rights. Her art showed the culture of Haitians and Africans.
Jacob Lawrence was a painter. He was one of the most famous African-American artists of the 20th century. Jacob Lawrence was born in New Jersey but raised in Harlem, New York. He was most famous for his War Series and Migration Series. Jacob Lawrence was an influence on the Harlem Renaissance because his art told of the history of African-Americans.