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September Issue
2008
Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte,
NC, Features Works by Kendall Messick
After traveling to the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, in 2006 and then the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, earlier this year, the exhibit Corapeake returns to its home state. On display at Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte, NC, now through Dec. 28, 2008, the exhibit has evoked a tremendous response from visitors, as individuals seem to truly connect with the people, the town and the stories presented.
In 1995, multi-media artist Kendall Messick took a trip with his best friend to the town of Corapeake. A small community located just inside the North Carolina line from Virginia and along the edge of the Great Dismal Swamp, the town is geographically, economically and socially isolated - not unlike many parts of rural America. Messick's original intent was to simply photograph his friend's aging relatives. But after spending time in the town and with the people, Messick realized there were stories to preserve and share, stories that were unique and fundamentally representative of small town life all over the South.
The result of Messick's seven-year endeavor: an inspiring documentary film and powerful exhibit that presents the rich cultural and personal history of Corapeake. The exhibit features his photographs and the stories of the African-American people living in Corapeake. They are presented as pages from journals kept by Messick during the years he spent working on the project. Messick also collected artifacts - a lady's hat, a stained glass church window, a reconstructed wall with collaged newspaper - which have been incorporated into the exhibit. Through these images, words and objects, visitors will get to know the people and the community of Corapeake, and be prompted to reflect on their own cultural experiences and traditions. As part of the exhibit, the documentary film is being continuously shown in the gallery.
"We first learned about the exhibit several years ago and felt it would be a great fit for our museum as it showcases a way of life that long defined the South but is now rapidly disappearing," explains museum president Emily Zimmern. "The images and stories of Corapeake capture a strong sense of place - small, rural, agricultural, isolated. They also capture the dignity of the people who live there, the bonds of family and community, and the traditions and memories that endure. The exhibit reminds us of what's important in life, and of own personal journeys."
According to Messick, "Corapeake is about love and loss and hope and faith. It explores the nature of memory in that it is about what is remembered as much as what is forgotten. These stories are universal in their depiction of a time and experience not limited to the people of Corapeake or to African Americans or even small towns."
The Museum will also offer related programs in conjunction with this exhibition. Check for a complete list of offerings.
At Levine Museum of the New South history comes alive and becomes relevant through exploration, conversation and interaction. Levine Museum shares the stories of the American South from the end of the Civil War until tomorrow. A welcoming, inclusive gathering place, the museum has become known for bold, innovative exhibits and programs that tackle tough issues and spark meaningful conversations. From the end of slavery and the long struggle of integration to the legacy of cotton farming, textile mills, and ongoing issues of inequality, the museum promotes learning, awareness and understanding.
"We're passionate about the role history can play in building community," says Emily Zimmern. "We believe in sharing the history and traditions of longtime residents and newcomers, and in providing opportunities for people to learn about and from one another. Whether it happens during an exhibit tour, an evening program, or during a family day at the museum, making connections and having personal experiences can have a lasting impact on individuals and the community."
The award-winning ongoing exhibit Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers is the centerpiece of the museum, illustrating the dramatic changes that have occurred in Charlotte and across the region since the end of the Civil War. Changing exhibits take a closer look at New South subjects, and have explored topics such as Latinos in the New South, Southern stereotypes and cartoons, women's history and school desegregation.
Programs at the museum provide additional opportunities to explore and discuss where we've been and where we're headed. Walking tours of uptown and historic neighborhoods are offered each May, while series such as "New South for the New Southerner" and "Global Dish" are presented throughout the year.
For further information check our NC Institutional
Gallery listings, call the Museum at 704/333-1887 or visit (www.museumofthenewsouth.org).
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