Body Content What makes someone an artist? In 1975, artist Betye Saar talked about controlling her destiny, to become “a true, free, creative person.” In 2018, historian, artist, and educator David Driskell said that art was, for him, “a very special gift…very serious business.” In interviews and oral histories, these artists talked about their gifts, their art, and what it took to break through racial barriers to find creative freedom.