Mississippi News

Mississippi Museum of Art opens ‘Great Migration’ exhibit

Published

3 years ago

April 15, 2022

Photos: Mississippi Museum of Art opens homage exhibit to ‘The Great Migration’

by Vickie King, Mississippi Today
April 15, 2022

More than 6 million African Americans in the South migrated north seeking better opportunities and a better way of life between 1916-1970. Those millions populated cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

That exodus was called “The Great Migration.”

An homage to that pilgrimage north opened this week at the Mississippi Museum of Art, where 12 artists from across the nation with ties to Mississippi will have their newly commissioned works showcased in the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration.”

The exhibit features work by acclaimed Black artists, including Akea Brionne, Mark Bradford, Zoë Charlton, Larry W. Cook, Torkwase Dyson, Theaster Gates Jr., Allison Janae Hamilton, Leslie Hewitt, Steffani Jemison, Robert Pruitt, Jamea Richmond-Edwards, and Carrie Mae Weems. The works explore “profound impact of the Great Migration on the social and cultural life of the United States from historical and personal perspectives,” museum officials explained.

The museum hosted an April 8 weekend opening that featured discussions from most of the artists. The weekend guests included Ford Foundation president and author Darren Walker, who spoke to attendees about the lasting legacies of the Great Migration, and ABC anchor and Mississippi native Robin Roberts.

The exhibit will be open at the museum in downtown Jackson until Sept. 11, 2022.

Here are some photos from the exhibit’s opening weekend.

Los Angeles artist Mark Bradford’s piece, “In 500,” depicts a wanted ad calling for Black families to settle on land in New Mexico, as opposed to “Wanted” posters of a more sinister ilk. Bradford’s artwork is part of the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

Artist Jamea Richmond-Edwards of Detroit (center) and museum visitors chat about Richmond-Edward’s piece, “This Water Runs Deep,” currently on display as part of the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

Jamea Richmond-Edwards of Detroit discusses her mixed media and collage on canvas piece, “This Water Runs Deep,” depicting family impacted by Mississippi River flooding and their travels north to Arkansas and Missouri. The artwork is part of the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

Maryland based artist Zoe Charlton, poses with her collage on wood panel, “Permanent Change of Station.” The piece blends worlds of reality and fantasy, depicting her family’s journeys out of the South and around the world, many by way of the military, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

Artist Larry W. Cook, with one of the only portraits he has shot of his father. Cooks’ portrait of his father and other family members is called, “Let My Testimony Sit Next to Yours,” and is a part of the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

Museum curator Ryan N. Dennis describes the piece of Houston born artist Robert Pruitt called, “A Song for Travelers,” which depicts Houston’s Third and Fourth Wards where Pruitt grew up. The artwork is part of the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

Museum curator Jessica Bell Brown (center), describes the painted steel and aluminum, glass and dry-erase piece of artist Torkwase Dyson called, “Way Over There Inside Me (A Festival of Inches),” depicting ” the magnitude of accelerated movement in America.” Dyson’s sculpture is part of the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

Artist Akea Brionne describes the tapestries she created honoring her three great aunts (the Phelps sisters) and her great grandmother. These women in her life made it possible for the men in the family to migrate north in search of a better life. The artwork is part of the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

Artists, patrons of the arts and Mississippi Museum of the Arts staff kick off the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” an homage to the social, economical and cultural impact that resulted from the exodus of millions African Americans from the South to northern states. The exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” opened today at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

The Mississippi Museum of Art is host to the exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” at the Mississippi Museum of Art, Friday, Apr. 8, 2022.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Search continues for Vance Boelter, suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers: What we know

Published

1 day ago

June 15, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-06-15 08:13:00

SUMMARY: A massive search is underway for Vance Boelter, 57, who posed as a police officer and fatally shot Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband at their Brooklyn Park home. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and wounded nearby. Authorities called the act a “politically motivated assassination.” Boelter, a former political appointee and security contractor, fled on foot after exchanging gunfire with police. His vehicle contained AK-style firearms and “No Kings” flyers. The investigation noted his writings targeted abortion rights advocates. The attacks highlight growing political violence and prompted heightened security for lawmakers nationwide.

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Mississippi News

Iran retaliates with missile barrage after Israel strikes nuclear sites, kills top generals

Published

3 days ago

June 13, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-06-13 13:45:00

SUMMARY: Israel launched massive airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, targeting key facilities including Natanz and Isfahan, killing top generals and scientists to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons. Iran retaliated with dozens of ballistic missiles and drone attacks on Israel, hitting areas near Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The conflict escalated fears of a broader war in the region. Israel said the operation was months in planning and aimed to neutralize an imminent nuclear threat. The U.S. was informed but not involved in the strike and cautioned against targeting American interests. International calls urged de-escalation amid rising tensions.

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Mississippi News

Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: June 13-15

Published

3 days ago

June 13, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2025-06-13 07:54:00

SUMMARY: This weekend (June 13-15) in Mississippi offers numerous events across regions. In Central Mississippi, enjoy free tours at the Eudora Welty House, World Snake Day in Jackson, and the Juneteenth Homecoming Weekend at Tougaloo College. Activities include concerts, art exhibits, farmers markets, family fun runs, and outdoor movies. Natchez hosts garden tours, fishing events, and farmers markets. Meanwhile, in the Pine Belt region, Hattiesburg features family splash nights, Juneteenth festivals, a golf tournament, live performances, and unique museum exhibits. Laurel offers karaoke night, while community runs, interactive concerts, and theatrical performances round out a lively weekend across the state.

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