William Edmondson began carving discarded limestone in the early 1930s; by 1937, he had a solo exhibition at MoMA

William Edmondson discovered his passion for carving sculptures during his retirement, unaware of his artistic potential. He shaped gravestones, figures, and animals from limestone, leading to his milestone as the first African American artist to exhibit solo at MoMA in 1937. Despite his passing in 1951, his artistry continues to inspire, showcasing the common journey of late-blooming artists achieving recognition.