The exhibit tells the story of a community that was tied together by seeking freedom from racial oppression This community ended up as a place of help for African Americans fleeing from slavery and became homes for some of them.
A great mixture of art mediums will be included in Rocky Fork. Spoken word is an unusual but interesting item that will be included. Quilts and research back into the community members family tree will also be on display.
The adaptation of the Rocky Fork New Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church will without a doubt be one of the more notable aspects featured. It is housed in the gallery and is large enough for people to enter it.
After speaking with Jim Price, the curator for the exhibit, he mentioned besides workers being diligent in recreating this life-sized adaptation of AME, there is individual who has done much of the work to bring the whole exhibit to life.
“Charlotte Johnson needs to be lauded for the work she has done uncovering these stories and maintaining the vigilance to make sure this story gets told. Without her there would be no exhibition.” Price said.
The true art is the history that lies in the exhibits artifacts, genealogy and stories shared.
Each person walks away experiencing art in different way from any art exhibit they see.
Mr. Price has hopes for what people will walk away from Rocky Fork with.
“I hope that people leave the exhibition with a heightened sense of their history. I hope that they will recognize how these families have had an impact on all of our histories, and that each person who views this exhibit senses the real and deep history that surrounds them.” said Price.
For more information visit http://www.lc.edu/rockyfork/