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Leaders of Tomorrow! MARCH 1997 MBC Wolverine OBSERVER 15
and more. The DuBose Gallery is made possible by a gift from Mrs.
Beverly M. DuBose Jr. The exhibition is also sponsored by Mr. and Mrs.
W. Barrett Howell and Wachovia Bank of Georgia. The installation of
“Turning Point” was supported by Balentine & Company.
Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South (Goizueta
Folklife Gallery)
Permanent
“Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South” traces the unique
and evolving attributes of southern folk culture through antique and
contemporary objects as well as oral and musical traditions. The
exhibition shows how people have relied on tradition to meet their needs
and how utility can combine with inspiration to create art out of everyday
life. Developed from the Atlanta History Center’s John A. Burrison
Folklife Collection, the exhibition features 500 examples of handcrafted
pottery, woodwork basketry, weaving, quilting and metalwork, and
explores the lives of several master folk artists. A few of the highlighted
artists are potter Lanier Meaders, the Hewell family of potters, chair
maker Walter Shelnut, Cherokee basket maker Lucille Lossiah, the
Reeves family of basket makers, story quilter Harriet Powers and
blacksmith Phillip Simmons. This exhibition examines the meaning of
art and artistry in everyday life, as distinct from the fine arts contexts
that most people associate with the term. Two audio theaters present a
variety of songs, preaching styles an narratives that relate to particular
southern environments, including Okefenokee Swamp tall tales, a Creek
Indian stomp-dance chant and blues by “Blind” Willie McTell and
Gertrude “Ma” Rainey. The Goizueta Folkllife Gallery is made possible by
a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Roberto C. Goizueta in memory of their son,
Carlos Alberto Goizueta. This exhibition is sponsored in part by grants
from the Ford Motor Company, the Woodward Fund and the National
Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
CONTINUING EXHIBITIONS
The American South: Past, Present, Future (Nicholson Gallery)
Through Sept. 28, 1997
The American South is known around the world for “Gone With the
Wind” and barbecue, civil rights and the blues. But these traditional
images don’t tell the whole story. The region is more urban, more
prosperous and more industrialized than ever before. The Civil Rights
Movement of the 1950s and 1960s toppled a century-old system of
institutionalized racial segregation. “The American South: Past, Present,
Future” explores what the South is like today, how its past has influenced
the region’s development and to what degree the South is likely to remain
a distinctive region in the future. Historic and modem photos are
interwoven with artifacts video and text to show the rich fabric of the
American South’s history and culture. “The American South” focuses on
eight areas of southern culture and history that express the most
characteristic elements of the southern experience: people, economy, race
relations, politics, religion, food music and literature. The exhibition is a
project of the Atlanta History Center and the Atlanta Committee for the
Olympic Games (ACOG) Olympic Arts Festival, in connection with the
Southern Crossroads festival in Centennial Olympic Park.
Slave Housing in the Georgia Piedmont
Through Sept. 28, 1997
There was no such thing as a typical slave cabin in Georgia. This
exhibition in the Tullie Smith Farm log cabin explores different 19th-
century types and compares them to the Tullie Smith Farm cabin. This
exhibition is supported by a grant from the Georgia Humanities Council
and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Gone With the Wind: A Worldwide Fascination
Through Feb. 1, 1998
This exhibition explores the international fascination with Margaret
Mitchell’s 1936 novel and the 1939 Hollywood movie through photographs
of the author, props from the set of the classic movie and popular
collectibles inspired by the book and film from around the world.
Artifacts on display include the desk and chair Margaret Mitchell used
while writing the novel, first-edition copies, a variety of foreign language
editions, early advertisements and leather buttons fashioned in the shape
of the book. Film-related artifacts include fragments of the vase that
Scarlett threw during the Twelve Oaks barbecue, American and foreign
movie posters, tickets to the premiere held at the Loew’s Grand Theater
and a variety of press photos. The final section of the exhibition includes
collector items, such as puzzles, a board game, plates, a Scarlett
chocolates box, handkerchiefs and dress patterns. Also on display are
various advertisements using characters and images from the book, dolls
and paper dolls, and Lux Soap advertisements offering movie fans a
simulated cameo broach like the one worn by Vivien Leigh. A “Gone With
the Wind” cookbook offers recipes for Melanie’s Sweet Potato Pie,
Mammy’s Creole Rice and the Tarleton Twins’ Broiled Oysters On the
Half Shell.
Rites of Passage: A Journey to Womanhood
Through June 15, 1997
“Rites of Passage” depicts traditions and changes in the roles of women
over the past century, examining events in a 20th-century woman’s life
that have traditionally marked her passage from adolescence to
adulthood. Evolution in the clothing and “tools” that women have used
throughout their lives illustrates changing attitudes towards women’s
“rites” -- education, courtship, entrance into the work force, marriage and
motherhood. Featured clothing includes Margaret Mitchell’s christening
dress, a 1935 bias-cut wedding gown and a blue-green brocade strapless
dress with a matching coat made and worn by actress Joanne Woodward
in 1957 when she received an Academy Award for “Best Actress: for the
movie “The Three Faces of Eve.” An ironing board, typewriter and
calculator are among the objects used to represent work tools used by
women in their many different occupations. Diplomas, class portraits and
graduation rings compliment the education section of the exhibition.
PROGRAMS
Atlanta History Museum, Atlanta History Center
“Quilt Sampler” Demonstrations
March 1, 1997
Quilters from the Georgia Quilt Project demonstrate their skill as part
of the “Quilt Sampler 1996” exhibition at the Atlanta History Center.
Hear their stories and learn about the techniques and traditions behind
designing and sewing these wonderful expressions of folk art. 12-2 p.m.
Free with general admission (404) 814-4000.
McElreath Hall, Atlanta History Center
Stump Franklin
March 2, 1997
Franklin M. Garrett, official historian of the Atlanta History Center,
Fulton County and the City of Atlanta, answers historical trivia questions
supplied by the audience at this popular annual event. Reception follows.
Pre-autographed copies of “The Man Who Amazed Atlanta: The Journey
of Franklin Miller Garrett” will be for sale at the event. 3 p.m. Free.
(404) 814-4000.
McElreath Hall, Atlanta History Center
Friends of the Library/Archives: Don Hastings
March 8, 1997
Atlanta horticulturalist Don Hastings signs copies of his book “Month-
by-Month: Gardening in the South: What to Do and When to Do It.”
Written in clear, jargon-free language, the book is a step-by-step
chronological guide for year-round care of southern gardens, flowers,
lawns and houseplants. Co-sponsored by the Cherokee Garden Library
and Friends of the Library/Archives. 11 a.m.-l p.m. Free. For
information, call (404) 814-4041.
Atlanta History Museum, Atlanta History Center
A Soldier’s Tour: Gallery Talk
March 9, 1997
On the second Sun. of each month a living history interpreter costumed
as a Civil War soldier is stationed in the exhibition “Turning Point: The
American Civil War” to interpret and demonstrate uniforms, weapons,
equipment and other objects. The exhibition tells the story of the war that
forever changed America’s vision of itself and the personal and public
memories that make the history of the conflict a living part of our
heritage. 2-4 p.m. Free with general admission. (404) 814-4000.
Atlanta History Museum, Atlanta History Center
Variations on a Theme: Jazz and Its Influences
March 9, 1997
Jazz—the quintessential American musical form—has its roots deep in
southern musical traditions. Performances by some of the best jazz artists
in the Southeast display the versatility and spirit of this music. With an
apparently infinite capacity to transform itself as it comes into contact
with other musical forms, jazz attracts both musicians and audiences
around the world. This concert features the James Patterson Jazztet
performing the swing music of Georgia composer Fletcher Henderson and
the be-bop sound of Duke Pearson. 2:30 p.m. $5. (404) 814-4000
McElreath Hall, Atlanta History Center
Current Historians: Mary Rose Taylor
March 13, 1997
Join this members group as they welcome Mary Rose Taylor of the
Margaret Mitchell House, who will share the story of the Margaret
Mitchell House restoration and its upcoming opening to the public. 6:30
p.m. hors d’oeuvres, 7 p.m. program. Cash bar. Current Historians free,
guests $4. (404) 814-4000.
Atlanta History Museum, Atlanta History Center
Rites of Passage: Gallery Talk
March 15, 1997
Atlanta History Center Curator of Textiles and Social History Betsy
Weyburn talks about the clothing and accessories on display in “Rites of
Passage,” which mark the milestones of a woman’s passage from
adolescence to womanhood. 2 p.m. Free with general admission. (404)
814-4000.
Atlanta History Museum, Atlanta History Center
Wild Woman Don’t Have the Blues: Video Screening
March 15, 1997
Enjoy this video about how blues were born out of the economic and
social transformation of African American life early in this century. “Wild
Women” recaptures the lives and times of Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie
Smith, Ida Cox, Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters and other legendary women
who made the blues a vital part of American culture. 3 p.m. Free with
general admission. (404) 814-4000.
Atlanta History Museum, Atlanta History Center
Alex Harris Book Signing
March 16, 1997
Join Alex Harris, photographer and editor of “A New Life: Stories and
Photographs from the Suburban South,” as he takes you on a voyage of
exploration through today’s South work with a slide presentation and
lecture. Book signing and reception follow. Copies of his book will be
available for sale in the Museum Shop. 2:30 p.m. Free. (404) 814-4000.
Atlanta History Museum, Atlanta History Center
Friday After Hours/Southern Heroines on the Silver Screen
Film Series
March 21, 1997
Make the transition from work week to weekend at the Atlanta History
Center’s popular new program, Friday After Hours, an alternative to the
nightclub scene. Unwind by listening to five acoustic music, taking tours
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