Kimball art teacher inspires through art and history 

Emmanuel Adlain, an art teacher at Justin F. Kimball High School, has a passion for the Harlem Renaissance, a pivotal period that helped reshape American art and African American identity during the 1920s and 1930s. In his classroom, Adlain introduces students to the art and ideas of this transformative era, helping them discover the importance of cultural storytelling and the power of creating their own narrative. 

Today, the hallways at Kimball High School reflect this artistic time. Vibrant artwork inspired by Renaissance artists, such as Aaron Douglass, line the walls while student replicas of the African American Flag hang from the ceiling. 

Adlain’s work, as both an artist and educator, is rooted in this early 20th century movement. 

“The Harlem Renaissance was a movement to portray African Americans in a new light using art,” he said. “Artists portrayed African Americans as elegant. They portrayed them as intellectuals. They portrayed them as successful.” 

Aldain recently met Harlem Renaissance artist Faith Ringgold, who used painting and quilting as forms of storytelling, and said those real-life interactions make his teaching even more impactful.  

“It’s great to get to study that era, understand it, and then teach it to the students,” he said.  

In his classroom, Adlain integrates concepts from science, technology, reading, art, engineering, and math with a particular focus on the science of color. He guides students through different sketching techniques, a practice he uses in his own professional work.  

As an artist, Adlain’s work often appeals to the intellectual thinker, blending artistic expression through portraiture. In his personal practice, he uses an approach he calls visual mechanics, creating illusions of depth and motion within his pieces.  

“My art focuses on composition, engineering and putting things together,” he said. “My art looks at history. I reference a lot of Harlem Renaissance artists in my work, and I am passionate about recognizing those who came before me.” 

Born in St. Lucia, an island in the Caribbean, Adlain said his background helps him connect with students and offer a perspective shaped by his own journey.  

“Many of my students are able to connect with me because they realize I’m an immigrant, and they understand that my voice has a unique perspective,” he said. “I see things differently and I believe that our differences are what make us strong.” 

That perspective often shapes the way he approaches both teaching and art, encouraging students to embrace their own stories and cultural influences.  

Adlain’s journey to becoming a teacher began with his work as an artist. After attending Grambling State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in studio art, he later pursued his goal of becoming a teacher through the Alternative Certification Program.  

This year, an African mask Adlain created inspired by the Kikuyu people of Kenya during his time in college is displayed in the school’s front entrance.  

He brings his own cultural technique into his classroom, encouraging learning about the African mask-making traditions. Students learn to create their own masks while studying clay and ceramics, as well as both two-dimensional and three-dimensional drawing techniques.  

Students also explore their creativity through cultural art projects throughout the city, allowing them to contribute to the stories and identities reflected in their own communities.   

Inspired by his family of five, Adlain said he chose to become a teacher after the birth of his youngest child, hoping to support students in the same way he supports his own family, ensuring they feel safe, nurtured and encouraged to learn. 

“I chose to be a teacher,” he said. “My parents were teachers. I thought I was going to come to school and just teach, but I’ve been learning as much from the students as they have learned from me. The students are so creative and have so many hidden talents. Their perspectives are unique, and they bring such a variety of experiences to the table. I find myself sitting back and letting go and allowing them to take control of the art.”