Previous Exhibit - Saturday Night/Sunday Morning
The Delta Blues Museum hosted the exhibit “Saturday
Night/Sunday Morning” – an insightful and
unique exhibit of photographs by 80 artists exploring
the cultural implications of two significant days of the
week, as stated by Shelley Ritter, museum director.
“We are excited over sponsoring
this artistic and educational event
that enriches our lives and strengthens
community partnerships,” comments
Vivian Presley, Ed.D., college president.
“Once again we are pleased
to collaborate with the Delta Blues
Museum in a major exhibition; we
encourage everyone from our students,
faculty and staff, to all area residents
to visit and take advantage of this
opportunity,” says Presley.
Curated by New York University professor
Deborah Willis, photographers across
America documented themes from jazz
clubs, hair salons and barbershops
to church services, family scenes
and reading the Sunday newspaper.
The exhibit was organized by Leica
Gallery, New York.
The 134 photographs offer insight
into the lives of Sunday morning
worshippers in African-American churches
and Saturday night revelers in clubs,
pool halls and juke joints.
Ritter says each of the photographer’s
perception of the two days are both
emotionally engaging and visually
challenging: “The collection
showcases the unique vision of each
of the artists; at the same time
each perspective comes together to
create a universal representation
of community, spirit and pleasure.”
The collective story reflects the
social and art historical significance
of these days, she says.
Among some of the noted musicians
and vocalists featured in photographs
are Dinah Washington, James Brown,
Wynton Marsalis, Cheryl Lynn, Al
Green, Minnie Ripperton and P-Diddy.
International known artists and
photographers with works included
in the collection are Gordon Parks,
Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, David C.
Driskell, Charles Stewart, Chester
Higgins Jr., Faith Ringgold, Carrie
Mae Weems, Roland Freeman and Ellis
Marsalis III.
The Delta Blues Museum is partially
funded by a grant from the Mississippi
Arts Commission and the National
Endowment for the Arts.
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