ERNESTINE ANDERSON
Ernestine Anderson was an American jazz singer known for her beautiful voice like “honey at dusk.” Anderson was born in Houston, Texas, in 1928 and soon her family would move to Seattle because of concern about World War II. Anderson would the join many local Seattle bands but she would only gain a little success in Seattle. This led her to leave for LA and other parts of the US in the late ‘40s. She then moved to Europe because of oppression she faced as a Black woman in the US which caused many road blocks in her career. While living in Europe, Anderson said that she was the happiest she had ever been because she was no longer hidden or repressed. She would also release her first hit in Europe, “Hot Cargo.” But Anderson would have to leave Europe and come back to the US and shortly after. During the mid ‘60s Anderson decided to retire from music and she focused on her three kids. She worked as a maid and at a telephone answering service. As the 70’s started, her close friend Maggie Hawthorn brought her back into the Seattle jazz scene. Anderson would use this platform to make room for Black women in music. Shortly later she signed to a jazz label, and then made 13 albums and gained major popularity. Even though she had an extremely successful career with 4 Grammy nominations, Ernestine Anderson goes largely unrecognized and she was never allowed to reach the fame she deserved. In 2016, she passed away, leaving behind a loving family, 6 decade long career, and her legacy of “honey at dusk.”
My Wayfinder has a record of Ernestine Anderson’s original music on the background of one of her most famous covers, with the sound of her voice written over it, described as “honey at dusk.” I chose these elements because she should be represented by what she loved to sing and she should be part of music. Anderson can also be found on the back of my Wayfinder flashing her famous smile and dancing to her music. You can feel her voice on the side of the arm of the Wayfinder. This is so if you can’t hear her voice you can still feel it.
My Wayfinder has a record of Ernestine Anderson’s original music on the background of one of her most famous covers, with the sound of her voice written over it, described as “honey at dusk.” I chose these elements because she should be represented by what she loved to sing and she should be part of music. Anderson can also be found on the back of my Wayfinder flashing her famous smile and dancing to her music. You can feel her voice on the side of the arm of the Wayfinder. This is so if you can’t hear her voice you can still feel it.
A photo of Ernestine Anderson
from Pictorial Press
My sketchbook consists of 4 individual pieces of art. The first piece of art I made was inspired Chloe Bass’ Soft Services. It has etchings of the stone layered over my words from hers. My next sketch in my book was editing the George Washington statue at University of Washington to amplify BSU’s ideas. I decided to take George off of his pedestal so you can walk above and over him. Then, I have a map of were I walked on the AIDS Memorial Pathway and what I saw. Finally, from the Bonsai Museum, I have a water color of a Bonsai that had a big impact on me. In my sketchbook there are also notes I took and brainstorming for my Wayfinder.
Gwyneth, She/Her, 2026:
Gwyneth Ingraham is a 9th grade student at Northwest. She loves art and she loves creating things. She had a lot of fun connecting her love of history to art. She also wants to send a special thanks to James Blake for making the Wayfinders, Julia Freeman and Kate Boyd for helping with creative direction. Finally, thank you to Connor Virzi for editing.
Gwyneth Ingraham is a 9th grade student at Northwest. She loves art and she loves creating things. She had a lot of fun connecting her love of history to art. She also wants to send a special thanks to James Blake for making the Wayfinders, Julia Freeman and Kate Boyd for helping with creative direction. Finally, thank you to Connor Virzi for editing.
