Roswell Exhibits To Showcase Black History, Culture

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Roswell, GA -- The city of Roswell will be hosting six month-long exhibits highlighting black history and culture as part of the 15th annual Roswell Roots Festival.

These exhibits showcase cloth paintings, slave life artifacts, photographs and original art – offering an experience the whole family can enjoy.

Exhibits include:

Kuibuka

• Jan. 30-Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bulloch Hall, $8/Adults; $7/Seniors; $6 Children (6-16): Dawn Williams Boyd’s exhibit of cloth paintings reflects her interests in American history, women’s identity, and sexuality, religion and politics. Through cutting, patching, surface enhancement and quilting, bits and pieces of fabric are transformed into modern visual storytelling. Most pieces take more than 500 hours to complete. There will be an Opening Reception and Artist Talk on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Slave Life in the Piedmont

• Feb. 1-29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bulloch Hall, $8/Adults; $7/Seniors; $6 Children (6-16): This permanent exhibit is located in the reconstructed Service Yard. There are two slave quarters, a carriage house and a four-hole privy. These structures were remembered by residents Virginia and Tony Wong, who were born in Bulloch Hall in the early 1900s. The exhibit contains artifacts that were excavated at the site. The cabin depicts a period room as the Bulloch slaves might have had in 1840. Inside Bulloch Hall, rooms will be set showing the various chores of the family’s slaves.

Slave Cabin Interpretive Exhibit

• Feb. 1-29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Smith Plantation, free: After stabilization efforts in 2015, people are now able to enter and experience the restored slave cabin. According to research, this modest but interesting structure is believed to be the oldest on the Smith Plantation Home complex. An updated exhibit looks at the various aspects of a slave’s life, including work, food and everyday tasks. Various period artifacts from the Smith Plantation collection will be used in the exhibit.

Evolution of Agricultural Labor from the 17th Century to Post-War Reconstruction and into the 20th Century

• Feb. 1-29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Smith Plantation, free: This exhibit looks at how Southern farmers, from Native Americans to plantation owners to sharecroppers, changed the agricultural landscape of the South from the 17th through 20th centuries.

Unsung Heroes: The Legacy of Black Heritage in Roswell: Feb. 1-29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., City Hall Rotunda, free: This photographic exhibit, co-sponsored by the City of Roswell and the Roswell Historical Society, returns to the Rotunda to highlight the history of African-Americans in the Roswell area and their influence and impact on our community since 1839.

Perspectives in Black Art Exhibit

• Feb. 5-29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Roswell Visual Arts Center, free: Sharon Crumley, a resident of Roswell, is a self-taught artist who creates mixed media art. Crumley’s work is intricate, colorful and textural, using a combination of textiles, paper, paint and found elements to create multi-dimensional art. Her art expresses a variety of subjects, from modern abstractions and ethnic adaptations to feminine themes. There will be an opening reception on Friday, February 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Roswell Visual Arts Center.

Roswell Roots: A Festival of Black History and Culture is one of the largest and most comprehensive celebrations of black history and culture in the Southeast.

This year, there will be 23 different events throughout the month of February ranging from music and art exhibitions to demonstrations and poetry. The festival continues to grow and was honored with the “Gold Award for Best Cultural Event” by the Southeast Festival and Events Association in 2014.

For a full listing of Roswell Roots events, visit www.roswellroots.com.

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Images via Roswell Roots 2015 Recap video