Minority and Justice Commission
Artwork

We Are America

About the Artist

Al Doggett

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Doggett attended The High School of Art and Design in New York City, where he majored in illustration, and studied graphic design, sculpture and photography. After high school he studied illustration and graphic design at the New York City Fashion Institute of Technology, (F.I.T.). After completing his studies at F.I.T. Doggett studied at the Art Students League of New York for three years. He subsequently worked at various art studios in New York City as an illustrator. His work included creating art for Warner Brothers movie ads and posters and magazine ads for advertising agencies.

In 1967 Doggett moved to Seattle and opened Al Doggett Studio, providing services in illustration and graphic design for the advertising and graphic arts industries. He continues to pursue his career in fine art painting drawing. His work has been exhibited in many venues throughout the Northwest, receiving a variety of awards. He also teaches youth and adult art classes at his studio and in several Seattle schools and community centers. He states: "I am deeply committed to the process of creating art that reflects my roots and that respectfully represents culture and humanity."

Doggett describes his creation of "We Are America" this way:

"A little history of why the painting was created.
The Fawcett Art Gallery in Tacoma, Washington put out a call to artists to create a work of art depicting their response to 911. They were planning a major exhibition showing works of art depicting the effects 911 had on the country in general. My response to what happened on 911 saddened me greatly. What motivated me to create We Are America was what happened the weeks after and the way I saw people treated on the streets, in particular, Moslems, Africans and most people of Middle Eastern backgrounds. News reports showing people displaying anger at someone they felt was different looking than themselves, shouting, 'Go back home, you don't belong in this country.'

For this exhibition I wanted, through a work of art to show the real strength of America. Beginning with the Native American who is the true American and to show the various cultures and nationalities that America has become."