BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Crosstown Arts - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Crosstown Arts
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://crosstownarts.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Crosstown Arts
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20160313T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20161106T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20170312T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20171105T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20180311T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20181104T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20190310T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20191103T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180422T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180422T100000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180227T155718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180409T191014Z
UID:10003261-1524382200-1524391200@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Mellotron Variations: Pt. 3
DESCRIPTION:Reprise brunch featuring a performance of various acts from Part 1 of Mellotron Variations. Q&A sessions with performers from parts 1 and 2. \nLight refreshments will be served.\nFree | Open to the public\nDoors 12:30 pm | Performance 1 pm \nMellotron Variation Part 1 will be on April 18th (free) and Part 2 will be on April 21st (free with ticket). More info on those shows here: https://goo.gl/qNkoGv \nSponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/mellotron-variations-pt-3/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CXA-MellotronVariations-PT3-Instagram.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180421T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180421T170000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180227T153205Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180418T173557Z
UID:10003258-1524321000-1524330000@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Mellotron Variations: Pt. 2
DESCRIPTION:Due to demand\, we’re opening the 8 pm Mellotron Variations Pt. 2 performance up to everyone — no ticket required. So feel free to bring a friend\, even if they didn’t get a reserved ticket. All guests who reserved tickets for the 10:30 pm show are now welcome to come to the 8 pm show (the 10:30 show is rescheduled to the earlier time).\n\nTo accommodate everyone\, we’ve moved the 8 pm show to our East Atrium space\, which holds more guests than the Listening Room (where the show was planned to be). Just come up the red spiral staircase\, and you’ll land in the East Atrium.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPerformance of new works and collaborations for the mellotron by Robby Grant\, Jonathan Kirkscey\, John Medeski\, and Pat Sansone. \nProjections by Winston Eggleston and John Markham. \nFree | Open to the public\nDoors 7:30 pm | Concert 8 pm \n\nMellotron Variation Part 1 will be on April 18th and Part 3 will be on April 22nd. Neither of these will require reserved tickets. More info on those shows here: https://goo.gl/qNkoGv \nSponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts \n \n\n\n\nAbout the artists: \nRobby Grant is a songwriter\, performer\, and producer who has recorded and released records over the past 15 years under both his name and the moniker Vending Machine. He spent the 1990s co-fronting and touring the country with Big Ass Truck and currently plays with the garage pop group Mouserocket. \nJonathan Kirkscey is a composer\, cellist\, and producer who performs regularly with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Mouserocket\, and is a co-founder of Blueshift Ensemble\, a contemporary classical chamber ensemble. As a film composer\, Jonathan has scored several award-winning documentaries including Best of Enemies\, directed by Morgan Neville\, and Won’t You Be My Neighbor\, a film about Fred Rogers which premieres in January 2018 at the Sundance film festival. \nWinston Eggleston is a woodworker and avid collector of Mellotrons (he recently built one from scratch). \nJohn Markham is a videographer and collaborates with the experimental group >mancontrol<. Together they created the oil-based light show that accompanied 2015’s Duets for Mellotron performance. \nPat Sansone is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar\, keyboard\, percussion\, harpsichord) from the bands Wilco and The Autumn Defense. \nJohn Medeski is an American jazz keyboard player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York’s 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood.
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/mellotron-variations-pt-2/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CXA-MellotronVariations-PT2-Instagram.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180418T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180418T170000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180227T154532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180417T170435Z
UID:10003260-1524060000-1524070800@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Mellotron Variations: Pt. 1
DESCRIPTION:New work for the mellotron by composer Robert G. Patterson\, performed by members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. A documentary featuring keyboardist Audie Smith. Performance by Ross Rice collaborating with the New Ballet Ensemble. \nFree | Open to the public \nMellotron Variation Part 2 will be on April 21st (free with ticket) and Part 3 will be on April 22nd. More info on those shows here: https://goo.gl/qNkoGv \nSponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts \n \n\nAbout the artists: \nRobert G. Patterson is a resident composer with the Luna Nova Ensemble. Recent accomplishments include commissions from Opera Memphis\, the One Coin Concert series in Osaka\, Japan\, and First Prize in the NATS Art Song Composition Award. In addition to his musical activities\, Patterson also has been a professional software developer\, and his interest in computers led him to become an expert in musical engraving using a computer. \nNew Ballet Ensemble and School is a thriving after school dance program in the heart of Midtown Memphis\, founded in 2001. Dancers from all over the Mid-South fill their studios six days a week\, training and exploring cultural forms of dance alongside a strong classical ballet curriculum. New Ballet Ensemble was awarded the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award in 2014\, recognizing the country’s best creative youth development programs for using engagement in the arts and the humanities to increase self-direction\, academic achievement\, graduation rates\, and college enrollment. \nRoss Rice might be best known as the lead singer/writer/keyboardist for Human Radio\, who hit Billboard Top Forty in 1990 with “Me & Elvis” (Columbia)\, but has also appeared frequently on Memphis stages with Big Ass Truck\, The Coolers\, Riverbluff Clan\, The Mudflaps\, and Ross Rice Group. Rice has produced\, toured\, and recorded with Peter Frampton\, George Clinton\, Todd Snider\, Adrian Belew\, Stephen Perkins (Janes Addiction)\, and Susannah Hoffs (Bangles)\, to name but a few. Presently residing in Murfreesboro\, Rice is enrolled in the MFA program in Recording Arts at MTSU\, and is working on a documentary comparing Memphis and Nashville recording styles. \n 
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/mellotron-variations-pt-1/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CXA-MellotronVariations-PT1-Instagram.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20180417
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180423
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180227T170539Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180502T163359Z
UID:10003263-1523991600-1524423599@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Mellotron Variations
DESCRIPTION:Multi-day festival featuring original musical compositions for the mellotron performed live alongside newly created multidisciplinary installations. \nSponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts \nPt. 1\nWednesday\, April 18\, 7 pm\nNew work for the mellotron by composer Robert G. Patterson\, performed by members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. A documentary featuring keyboardist Audie Smith. Performance by Ross Rice collaborating with the New Ballet Ensemble. \nFree | Open to the public \n\nPt. 2\nSaturday\, April 21\, 7:30 pm\nPerformance of new works and collaborations for the mellotron by Robby Grant\, Jonathan Kirkscey\, John Medeski\, and Pat Sansone. Projections by Winston Eggleston and John Markham. \nFree | Open to the public\nDoors 7:30 pm | Concert 8 pm \n\nPt. 3\nSunday\, April 22\, 12:30 pm\nReprise brunch featuring a performance of various acts from Part 1 of Mellotron Variations. Q&A sessions with performers from parts 1 and 2. \nLight refreshments will be served.\nFree | Open to the public\nDoors 12:30 pm | Performance 1 pm \n\n\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\n\n\nAbout the artists: \nRobby Grant is a songwriter\, performer\, and producer who has recorded and released records over the past 15 years under both his name and the moniker Vending Machine. He spent the 1990s co-fronting and touring the country with Big Ass Truck and currently plays with the garage pop group Mouserocket. \nJonathan Kirkscey is a composer\, cellist\, and producer who performs regularly with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Mouserocket\, and is a co-founder of Blueshift Ensemble\, a contemporary classical chamber ensemble. As a film composer\, Jonathan has scored several award-winning documentaries including Best of Enemies\, directed by Morgan Neville\, and Won’t You Be My Neighbor\, a film about Fred Rogers which premieres in January 2018 at the Sundance film festival. \nWinston Eggleston is a woodworker and avid collector of Mellotrons (he recently built one from scratch). \nJohn Markham is a videographer and collaborates with the experimental group >mancontrol<. Together they created the oil-based light show that accompanied 2015’s Duets for Mellotron performance. \nPat Sansone is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar\, keyboard\, percussion\, harpsichord) from the bands Wilco and The Autumn Defense. \nJohn Medeski is an American jazz keyboard player and composer. Medeski is a veteran of New York’s 1990s avant-garde jazz scene and is known popularly as a member of Medeski Martin & Wood. \nRobert G. Patterson is a resident composer with the Luna Nova Ensemble. Recent accomplishments include commissions from Opera Memphis\, the One Coin Concert series in Osaka\, Japan\, and First Prize in the NATS Art Song Composition Award. In addition to his musical activities\, Patterson also has been a professional software developer\, and his interest in computers led him to become an expert in musical engraving using a computer. \nNew Ballet Ensemble and School is a thriving after school dance program in the heart of Midtown Memphis\, founded in 2001. Dancers from all over the Mid-South fill their studios six days a week\, training and exploring cultural forms of dance alongside a strong classical ballet curriculum. New Ballet Ensemble was awarded the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award in 2014\, recognizing the country’s best creative youth development programs for using engagement in the arts and the humanities to increase self-direction\, academic achievement\, graduation rates\, and college enrollment. \n\n\nRoss Rice might be best known as the lead singer/writer/keyboardist for Human Radio\, who hit Billboard Top Forty in 1990 with “Me & Elvis” (Columbia)\, but has also appeared frequently on Memphis stages with Big Ass Truck\, The Coolers\, Riverbluff Clan\, The Mudflaps\, and Ross Rice Group. Rice has produced\, toured\, and recorded with Peter Frampton\, George Clinton\, Todd Snider\, Adrian Belew\, Stephen Perkins (Janes Addiction)\, and Susannah Hoffs (Bangles)\, to name but a few. Presently residing in Murfreesboro\, Rice is enrolled in the MFA program in Recording Arts at MTSU\, and is working on a documentary comparing Memphis and Nashville recording styles.
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/mellotron-variations/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CXA-MellotronPt2-FB-ProfilePic.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180415T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180415T110000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180315T181951Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180413T151159Z
UID:10003265-1523782800-1523790000@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Resident Artists' Open Studio
DESCRIPTION:Visit Crosstown Arts resident artists’ studios and view their work in progress. Meet up in the  Crosstown Arts East Atrium (top of the red spiral staircase) at 2 pm for a guided tour. \nArtists include:\nYancy Villa-Calvo\nEric Clausen\nVanessa Gonzalez\nAverell Mondie\nTerri Phillips\nCarrie Rubinstein\nJosh Short\nPaul Taylor\nEmily C Thomas \n 
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/resident-artists-open-studio/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Residency
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMGL9112edit.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180331T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180331T173000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180215T204208Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180302T215321Z
UID:10003240-1522506600-1522517400@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Sound Observations: Tara Rodgers
DESCRIPTION:A musical performance and lecture series presented by Sonosphere in collaboration with Crosstown Arts \nJoin us on Saturday\, March 31 for a performance and artist talk by Tara Rodgers (Analog Tara)\, a multi-instrumentalist composer and historian of electronic music and sound who produces techno tracks using analog sound sources. \n\nArtist Talk\nCrosstown Concourse Theater Stair\nNoon | free and open to the public | light refreshments \nPerformance\nCrosstown Arts East Atrium\nDoors at 7:30 pm | show at 8 pm\n$12 tickets (purchase on Eventbrite) \n\nAbout Sound Observations:\nIn this four-part series highlighting new explorations in sound\, musicians\, composers\, and scholars from across the country will showcase their unique talents through performances and lectures. Listen and experience sound as art through a variety of different approaches and mediums.  \n\nAbout the artist:\nTara Rodgers (Analog Tara) is a multi-instrumentalist composer and historian of electronic music and sound\, originally from upstate New York and now based in the Washington\, DC area.  \nShe earned an MFA in Electronic Music & Recording Media at Mills College and a PhD in Communication Studies at McGill University. Her work has been presented at the Tate Modern (London)\, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (Toronto)\, Eyebeam (NYC)\, on the Le Tigre Remix album\, and in many other forums.  \nShe is the author of numerous essays on music\, technology\, and culture\, and of Pink Noises: Women on Electronic Music and Sound (Duke University Press\, 2010)\, a collection of interviews that received the 2011 Pauline Alderman Book Award from the International Alliance for Women in Music.  \nShe has taught at Dartmouth College\, the University of Maryland\, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts\, Boston\, and has served on the editorial boards of Leonardo Music Journal and Women & Music. \n\nAbout Sonosphere:\nSonosphere is a Memphis-based podcast aimed at exploring sound in music and art movements through history and today. Past podcasts have featured ICEBERG New Music Collective\, John Cage\, Martin Heyne\, and Memphis Concrete\, among other artists and music events. \n 
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/sound-observations-tara-rodgers/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/a0285834435_10.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180327T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180327T150000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180319T175232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180320T203827Z
UID:10003273-1522155600-1522162800@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Crosstown Arts Resident Artist Talks
DESCRIPTION:Hear from Crosstown Arts resident artists Eric Clausen\, Yancy Villa-Calvo\, and Robby Grant as they discuss their work. \n\nAbout the artists:\nEric Clausen (b. 1984) is an artist currently living and working in Memphis. As part of his research\, he travels cross country by bicycle. During these ventures\, Clausen documents observations through drawings and audio recordings. Using these\, he creates psychogeographic meditations on our changing Americana. Outside of that work\, he is an Instructional Designer for Columbia University\, a faculty member in the Rosa Deal School of the Arts at Christian Brothers University\, and an independent illustrator\, animator\, audio producer\, & gameshow host.\n \nYancy Villa-Calvo holds a B.A.\, B.F.A.\, and M.B.A.\, and she was born in Mexico City. Through multimedia work\, she seeks to create awareness\, provoke a thought and engage in a conversation on issues of social justice and equality. The latest collaborative projects\, GEMS Memphis 3.0 and Barrier Free Art Installation\, are examples of her work that showed the art engagement with underserved individuals and communities. To learn more: YancyArt.com\, Memphis City Artists\, Barrier Free Art \nRobby Grant is a Memphis\, TN based musician that has toured and recorded with Vending Machine\, Big Ass Truck\, Mouserocket and >mancontrol<. In April 2018\, he will perform in the “Mellotron Variations” series which is made possible by an NEA grant. The show will feature collaborations with other composers\, musicians\, visual artists\, and dancers.
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/crosstown-arts-resident-artist-talks/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Residency
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/clausen2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180316T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180316T160000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180215T211101Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180228T204220Z
UID:10003241-1521207000-1521216000@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:The Music of John Coltrane
DESCRIPTION:Tickets $15 (purchase on Eventbrite)\nDoors at 6:30 pm | performance at 7 pm \nJazz tribute to the music of John Coltrane featuring Art Edmaiston (saxophones)\, Tim Goodwin (acoustic bass)\, Gerald Stephens (piano)\, Logan Hanna (guitar)\, and Chad Anderson (drums). \nThe Crosstown Jazz Series\, presented by Strictly Jazz Entertainment in collaboration with Crosstown Arts\, is designed to salute classic jazz music as contemporary musicians perform the work of the legends. \nJohn William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career\, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and was later at the forefront of free jazz. He led at least fifty recording sessions during his career and appeared as a sideman on many albums by other musicians\, including trumpeter Miles Davis and pianist Thelonious Monk. \n \n\nAbout Arthur Edmaiston:\nSaxophonist Arthur Edmaiston was raised in the small town of Troy in Northwest Tennessee but came to Memphis to pursue a degree in Jazz Performance in 1990 and has called the Bluff City home since then. \nEarly in his search for musical information\, Art found a mentor in the great Lannie McMillan who offered guidance on stage and off for the budding saxophonist. Allen Rippe\, professor of saxophone at the University of Memphis\, also led Edmaiston toward higher levels of achievement through his masterful tutelage. \nCountless hours of practicing and late nights jamming with the finest musicians in Memphis and around the world has brought Edmaiston to where he is today; a Grammy-nominated\, seasoned professional of stage and studio with no sign of slowing down. \nOver the years\, Art has played for hundreds of thousands of tourists on world-famous Beale Street\, as well as having recorded and toured internationally with such artists as Gregg Allman\, Bobby “Blue” Bland\, JJ Grey & MOFRO\, and the International Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater. New recording projects are due for release in 2018 with a varying array of artists: John Paul Keith\, the Love Light Orchestra\, Marcella & Her Lovers\, Scott Thompson’s Rescue Animals\, among others. \nEdmaiston has established himself as a leader in music in Memphis and is grateful to be sharing his gift with all who will listen. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Strictly Jazz Entertainment:\nStrictly Jazz Entertainment is committed to cultivating a growing community in the knowledge and appreciation of jazz. We facilitate dialogue and collaboration between the devoted supporters of jazz and the brand new constituents – those new to the genre – for the furthering of the jazz community. We provide a bridge between leading artists and a community that typically does not embrace jazz by promoting concerts in various venues to generate an atmosphere that is viable for the absorption of pure jazz.
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/the-music-of-john-coltrane/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CROSSTOWN-COLTRANE-01-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180303T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180303T060000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20180208T222506Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180208T222506Z
UID:10003230-1520053200-1520056800@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Artist Talk: Pam McDonnell
DESCRIPTION:Pam McDonnell discusses her work in “Material Equivalence.” \nOn view through March 11 \n\nArtist Statement:\nMaterial Equivalence is my exploration of the Spanish term “duende.” It describes the wordless reaction a person feels from experiencing the output of another person’s creativity. It can be seen in work that has a certain quality of passion and inspiration. Work with duende is said to have a soul\, be highly expressive\, and authentic. \nIn making this body of work\, I tried not to focus on whether a certain piece exhibited this\nheightened state of emotion because I wanted to leave that determination to the viewer. Instead\, I practiced noticing and trusting when I felt expressive and authentic and staying grounded in the assurance that the work was\, in a sense\, “making itself.” \nThis exhibition is titled “Material Equivalence” after a philosophical formula that sets out to prove an “if and only if” relationship. Here\, it would state that “the work has duende\, if\, and only if\, the viewer experiences the work as work with a soul and finds it full of passion and inspiration.” \n\nAbout the Artist:\nPam McDonnell earned her BFA from University of Memphis in 2005 and has exhibited her work at a number of local galleries and studios\, including David Lusk Gallery and Flicker Street Studio. Her work is displayed in public collections at Iberia Bank\, West Cancer Center\, and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/artist-talk-pam-mcdonnell/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/USE-THIS-ONE-FOR-WEB-marketing-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180120T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180120T150000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20171214T224822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180119T205535Z
UID:10003194-1516453200-1516460400@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Wish Book: William E. Jones Artist Talk & Screening
DESCRIPTION:Locations: Screening Room & East Atrium \nEncore screening of William E. Jones’ Fall Into Ruin and artist talk by curator Brian Pera \n\nCurated by Terri Phillips and Brian Pera \nThe Wish Book series is a triannual exhibition with a focus on artists’ films. Curators Brian Pera and Terri Phillips welcome internationally recognized artists\, filmmakers\, and critics to Memphis for this exciting new series\, which takes its name from the famed Sears Catalog and is hosted by Crosstown Arts at Crosstown Concourse\, itself once a major Sears distribution center. Drawing from a wide range of topics\, techniques\, and perspectives\, the films index the scope of work being done by artists in moving pictures. \nAbout the Artist:\nWilliam E. Jones has made the films Massillon (1991) and Finished (1997)\, which won a Los Angeles Film Critics Association award\, the documentary Is It Really So Strange?  (2004)\, and many videos including The Fall of Communism as Seen in Gay Pornography (1998). His work was included in the 1993 and 2008 Whitney Biennials\, and he has had retrospectives at Tate Modern (2005)\, Anthology Film Archives (2010)\, and the Austrian Film Museum (2011). His books include “Killed”: Rejected Images of the Farm Security Administration (2010)\, Halsted Plays Himself (2011)\, and Imitation of Christ\, named one of the best photo books of 2013 by Time magazine.
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/wishbook-william-e-jones-screening/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Screen-Shot-2017-12-14-at-4.47.36-PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180111T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180111T140000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20171107T224956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20180111T220318Z
UID:10003165-1515672000-1515679200@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Art/Race/Violence: Panel Discussion
DESCRIPTION:Panel discussion featuring Shahidah Jones\, Antonio De Velasco\, Randell Gamble\, and exhibition co-curators Richard Lou and Dr. Earnestine Jenkins. \n\nLocation: Informal performance stage in Crosstown Arts East Atrium\, Suite 280\n\n\n\nArt/Race/Violence: A Collaborative Response is a multidisciplinary project organized by visual culture historian Dr. Earnestine Jenkins and artist Richard Lou in collaboration with Crosstown Arts. Through this project\, local artists collectively explore intersections of race and systemic violence through the lens of cultural expression. Conceived to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ell Persons’ very public murder by members of the Memphis community through the act of lynching\, the project was further inspired by recent events to memorialize lynching sites in the broader Memphis community in an effort to bring about greater understanding of racial oppression and violence in the South. \nThe organizers aim for more challenging\, candid and unvarnished representations of our city’s history through a range of educational programming\, including panel discussions which began last spring\, a collaborative exhibition (with performances and talks by the artists) opening this November\, community conversations\, and film screenings. \nThe exhibition features work by artist teams:\nJamin Carter and Mary Jo Karimnia (with Special Design Work for American Heritage Lotto by Christian Westphal)\nAndrea Morales and Terry Lynn\nLisa Williamson and Lurlynn Franklin\nYancy Villa-Calvo and Lawrence Matthews\nJamond Bullock and Cat Pena (video work by local artist Perry Kirkland and survivor profiles from #SurvivedAndPunished)\nKarina Alvarez and Carl Moore\nJin Powell and Jesse Butcher\nAgustin Diaz\, Brittney Bullock and Brenda Joysmith
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/artraceviolence-panel-discussion/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Art-Race-Violence-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20180103T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20180103T130000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20171212T231453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171212T231453Z
UID:10002756-1514980800-1514984400@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Art/Race/Violence: Artist + Community Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Conversation with artist teams Lisa Williamson and Lurlynn Franklin; Carl Moore and Karina Alvarez; Brittney Bullock\, Agustin Diaz\, and Brenda Joysmith; co-curator Richard Lou\, and Professor Holly Yu. Moderated by Dr. Earnestine Jenkins. \nArt/Race/Violence: A Collaborative Response is a multidisciplinary project organized by visual culture historian Dr. Earnestine Jenkins and artist Richard Lou in collaboration with Crosstown Arts. Through this project\, local artists collectively explore intersections of race and systemic violence through the lens of cultural expression. Conceived to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ell Persons’ very public murder by members of the Memphis community through the act of lynching\, the project was further inspired by recent events to memorialize lynching sites in the broader Memphis community in an effort to bring about greater understanding of racial oppression and violence in the South. \nThe organizers aim for more challenging\, candid and unvarnished representations of our city’s history through a range of educational programming\, including panel discussions which began last spring\, a collaborative exhibition (with performances and talks by the artists) opening this November\, community conversations\, and film screenings. \nThe exhibition features work by artist teams:\nJamin Carter and Mary Jo Karimnia (with Special Design Work for American Heritage Lotto by Christian Westphal)\nAndrea Morales and Terry Lynn\nLisa Williamson and Lurlynn Franklin\nYancy Villa and Lawrence Matthews\nJamond Bullock and Cat Pena (video work by local artist Perry Kirkland and survivor profiles from #SurvivedAndPunished)\nKarina Alvarez and Carl Moore\nJin Powell and Jesse Butcher\nAgustin Diaz\, Brittney Bullock and Brenda Joysmith
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/art-race-violence-artist-community-conversation/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Art-Race-Violence-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20171209T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20171209T150000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20171103T210555Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171205T164244Z
UID:10003155-1512822600-1512831600@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:SOLD OUT The Music of Nina Simone
DESCRIPTION:THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Stay turned to the Crosstown Arts Facebook page for details on the next Crosstown Jazz Series show. \nTickets – $15 (purchase on Eventbrite)\nDoors at 6:30 pm | performance at 7 pm\nComplimentary beverages \nJazz performance featuring Michaelyn Oby (vocalist)\, Alvie Givhan (piano)\, Sylvester Sample (acoustic bass)\, Michael Oby (saxophone)\, and Nygel Yancey (drums). \nThe Crosstown Jazz Series\, presented by Strictly Jazz Entertainment in collaboration with Crosstown Arts\, is designed to salute classic jazz music as contemporary musicians perform the work of the legends. \nFacebook invite
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/the-music-of-nina-simone/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Screen-Shot-2017-11-16-at-9.48.54-AM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20171207T060000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20171207T070000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20171107T224757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171206T165557Z
UID:10003159-1512626400-1512630000@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Art/Race/Violence: Artist+Community Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Conversation with artist teams Yancy Villa-Calvo and Lawrence Matthews\, Cat Pena and Jamond Bullock\, as well as community activist Tami Sawyer. \n\nArt/Race/Violence: A Collaborative Response is a multidisciplinary project organized by visual culture historian Dr. Earnestine Jenkins and artist Richard Lou in collaboration with Crosstown Arts. Through this project\, local artists collectively explore intersections of race and systemic violence through the lens of cultural expression. Conceived to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ell Persons’ very public murder by members of the Memphis community through the act of lynching\, the project was further inspired by recent events to memorialize lynching sites in the broader Memphis community in an effort to bring about greater understanding of racial oppression and violence in the South. \nThe organizers aim for more challenging\, candid and unvarnished representations of our city’s history through a range of educational programming\, including panel discussions which began last spring\, a collaborative exhibition (with performances and talks by the artists) opening this November\, community conversations\, and film screenings. \nThe exhibition features work by artist teams:\nJamin Carter and Mary Jo Karimnia (with Special Design Work for American Heritage Lotto by Christian Westphal)\nAndrea Morales and Terry Lynn\nLisa Williamson and Lurlynn Franklin\nYancy Villa-Calvo and Lawrence Matthews\nJamond Bullock and Cat Pena (video work by local artist Perry Kirkland and survivor profiles from #SurvivedAndPunished)\nKarina Alvarez and Carl Moore\nJin Powell and Jesse Butcher\nAgustin Diaz\, Brittney Bullock and Brenda Joysmith
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/artraceviolence-artistcommunity-conversation-2/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Art-Race-Violence-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20171129T060000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20171129T070000
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20171107T224541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171128T155337Z
UID:10003157-1511935200-1511938800@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Art/Race/Violence: Artist+Community Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Conversation with artist teams Jamin Carter and Mary Jo Karimnia and Terry Lynn and Andrea Morales\, led by Ladrica Menson-Furr\, Richard Lou\, and Earnestine Jenkins. \n\nArt/Race/Violence: A Collaborative Response is a multidisciplinary project organized by visual culture historian Dr. Earnestine Jenkins and artist Richard Lou in collaboration with Crosstown Arts. Through this project\, local artists collectively explore intersections of race and systemic violence through the lens of cultural expression. Conceived to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ell Persons’ very public murder by members of the Memphis community through the act of lynching\, the project was further inspired by recent events to memorialize lynching sites in the broader Memphis community in an effort to bring about greater understanding of racial oppression and violence in the South. \nThe organizers aim for more challenging\, candid and unvarnished representations of our city’s history through a range of educational programming\, including panel discussions which began last spring\, a collaborative exhibition (with performances and talks by the artists) opening this November\, community conversations\, and film screenings. \nThe exhibition features work by artist teams:\nJamin Carter and Mary Jo Karimnia (with Special Design Work for American Heritage Lotto by Christian Westphal)\nAndrea Morales and Terry Lynn\nLisa Williamson and Lurlynn Franklin\nYancy Villa-Calvo and Lawrence Matthews\nJamond Bullock and Cat Pena (video work by local artist Perry Kirkland and survivor profiles from #SurvivedAndPunished)\nKarina Alvarez and Carl Moore\nJin Powell and Jesse Butcher\nAgustin Diaz\, Brittney Bullock and Brenda Joysmith
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/artraceviolence-artistcommunity-conversation/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Art-Race-Violence-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171111
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180115
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20171205T202119Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171205T202142Z
UID:10002745-1510423200-1515952799@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Lavender’s Landscape
DESCRIPTION:Anthony Lee\n\nLatex and Urethane on Panel\, Triptych\, 2017 \n\n\nComposing a triptych\, these works by artist Anthony Lee are a continuous\, long-scale\, lavender tonal gradient\, equal in light value but demonstrating the effect of desaturation. Viewed from left to right\, it begins as  intense lavender\, and then through gradation it finishes into its grey equivalent. This adds a fourth-dimensional sense of movement or transfer within the works\, allowing the viewer’s eyes to calmly experience the space in the works as they seemlessly shift color.\n\nA high-gloss reflective stripe appears at bottom 3/8 of triptych\, to alter the color value. It is also the artist’s attempt to simulate the only straight line found in nature — the horizon. The purest horizons are a visual illusion created by the perceived meeting of only the sky and shimmering water.\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Artist:\nLee’s initial body of works were mixed-media panels with heavy color saturation and symbolic narrative content. His work has been featured at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art\, Powerhouse\, Dixon Gallery and Gardens\, Memphis College of Art\, Arkansas Arts Center\, National Civil Rights Museum\, Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts\, and several galleries throughout the U.S. He has also created many public art projects and large-scale mural works\, of which one was nationally recognized and awarded in 2009. His au courant mode of painting is geometric abstraction with neo-minimalist sensibilities that echo Ellsworth Kelly and Peter Halley.
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/lavenders-landscape/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/IMG_4469.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20171111
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20180112
DTSTAMP:20260613T105711
CREATED:20171019T201444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20171214T200857Z
UID:10003147-1510423200-1515693599@crosstownarts.org
SUMMARY:Art/Race/Violence: A Collaborative Response
DESCRIPTION:Organized by Dr. Earnestine Jenkins and Richard A. Lou (from the University of Memphis) in collaboration with Crosstown Arts \nGallery Hours:\nMonday-Friday 10 am-8 pm\nSaturday 10 am-6 pm\nSunday noon-6 pm \nClick here to read Artists’ Statements\n\nFeaturing work by artist teams:\nJamin Carter and Mary Jo Karimnia (with Special Design Work for American Heritage Lotto by Christian Westphal)\nAndrea Morales and Terry Lynn\nLisa Williamson and Lurlynn Franklin\nYancy Villa-Calvo and Lawrence Matthews\nJamond Bullock and Cat Pena (video work by local artist Perry Kirkland and survivor profiles from #SurvivedAndPunished)\nKarina Alvarez and Carl Moore\nJin Powell and Jesse Butcher\nAgustin Diaz\, Brittney Bullock and Brenda Joysmith \nOpening reception will feature a curator talk at 3 pm followed by spoken word performances from Janay Kelly\, Nadifah Rasheed\, Tray Butler\, Roberto Alfaro\, and Jessica Taylor. \n\nMore events:\nArt/Race/Violence: Artist+Community Conversation\nWednesday\, Nov 29\, 12-1 pm\nGalleries\nConversation with artist teams Jamin Carter and Mary Jo Karimnia and Terry Lynn and Andrea Morales\, led by Ladrica Menson-Furr and Richard Lou. \nArt/Race/Violence: Artist+Community Conversation\nThursday\, Dec 7\, 12-1 pm\nGalleries\nConversation with artist teams Yancy Villa-Calvo and Lawrence Matthews\, Cat Pena and Jamond Bullock\, led by Tami Sawyer. \nArt/Race/Violence: Panel Discussion\nThursday\, January 11\, 6-8 pm\nTheater Stair\nSpeakers as of November 7: Shahidah Jones\, Antonio De Velasco\, Tom Carlson \n\n“There has never been a free people\, a free country\, a real democracy on the face of this Earth. In a city of some 300\,000 slaves and 90\,000 so called free men\, Plato sat down and praised freedom in exquisitely elegant phrases.” -Lerone Bennett Jr. \n“We are equidistant from utopia and Armageddon.” -Guillermo Gomez-Pena \nArt/Race/Violence: A Collaborative Response is a multidisciplinary project organized by visual culture historian Dr. Earnestine Jenkins and artist Richard Lou in collaboration with Crosstown Arts. Through this project\, local artists collectively explore intersections of race and systemic violence through the lens of cultural expression. Conceived to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ell Persons’ very public murder by members of the Memphis community through the act of lynching\, the project was further inspired by recent events to memorialize lynching sites in the broader Memphis community in an effort to bring about greater understanding of racial oppression and violence in the South. \nThe organizers aim for more challenging\, candid and unvarnished representations of our city’s history through a range of educational programming\, including panel discussions which began last spring\, a collaborative exhibition (with performances and talks by the artists) opening this November\, community conversations\, and film screenings. On March 16th of 2017\, the University of Memphis Art History and African-American Studies programs jointly hosted “Ida B. Wells: A Blues Woman.” Panelists Earnestine Jenkins\, George Lipsitz\, and Celeste Bernier looked at Ida B. Wells and the beginnings of resistance to lynching within the context of the late 19th century\, linking it to modern social movements. Panelists addressed how the arts are linked to the culture of resistance\, as Ida B. Wells was the first strategist to use visual images\, specifically lynching photographs\, as proof of the racial violence so endemic to the South. \nMuch as Wells did a century ago\, the artists and cultural workers involved in this exhibition were invited to reflect upon the nature of Memphis’ past and present and use their creative work as a social instrument for change. One of the distinctive components of this collaborative process began with the curators selecting artist teams to conceive of and co-create new work to share with the public. The participants attended a series of workshops and panel discussions and were given access to a wide array of resources\, articles\, and media for their research. The artist teams — Jamin Carter and Mary Jo Karimnia; Andrea Morales and Terry Lynn; Lisa Williamson and Lurlynn Franklin; Yancy Villa and Lawrence Matthews; Jamond Bullock and Cat Pena; Karina Alvarez and Carl Moore; Jin Powell and Jesse Butcher; and Agustin Diaz\, Brittney Bullock and Brenda Joysmith — have created 8 new installations in a range of media\, including video\, sound\, sculpture\, and performance\, which will be on view in Crosstown Arts’ new galleries at Crosstown Concourse. \nIn Martha Stoudt’s book\, The Sociopath Next Door\, she states that it is natural for individuals to question their moral compass when surrounded by unethical attitudes and behaviors; the notion of “if you can’t beat them\, join them” is an understandable inclination. However\, Stoudt counters that when faced with that lack of consciousness\, we do not need less consciousness; we need more. As artists\, the search to make work that matters carries a greater significance since the last U.S. Presidential election cycle. The spectre of a divided nation (an inequality that marginalized and subjugated communities living in the U.S. are intimately familiar with and have endured for centuries) has re-inserted itself into the current national public discourse. The idea that there are large segments of the U.S. population\, living side by side\, in parallel universes — the haves and the have-nots\, the subjected and the privileged — has become the rule\, not the exception\, in how we now imagine ourselves as citizens of the United States. Participating artists in this project are challenged to create work that speaks to and crosses these divides. \nArt/Race/Violence: A Collaborative Response will utilize the arts across diverse disciplines\, media\, and varied forms of cultural expression. The exhibition will challenge artists to use diverse media to reclaim cultural expression of humankind’s (or “this country’s”) history of racially motivated violence\, as well to examine this history from multiple viewpoints. The project is designed to call on artists to reflect upon the nature of our past and present day in Memphis and to think of their creative work as a social instrument\, or as Estella Conwill Majozo stated\, “To search for the good and make it matter.” \n\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n			\n				\n			\n		\n\n\nHISTORICAL BACKGROUND\nCompiled by Dr. Earnestine Jenkins \nLynching\, the collective\, systematic terrorism directed mostly toward African Americans by white mobs\, arose following Reconstruction and persisted well into the 20th century. Most lynchings in Tennessee occurred in the western and middle parts of the state. Lynchings are documented in 70 Tennessee counties with Shelby County ranking first. According to Margaret Vandiver in Lethal Punishment: Lynchings and Legal Executions in the South\, there were at least 15 lynchings in Shelby County. Ninety-nine percent of lynchers in the U.S. escaped arrest and punishment. Memphis is particularly significant in reference to two high-profile executions that attracted national attention and propelled individuals and organizations to act. \nPeople’s Grocery Lynching & Ida B. Wells\nIn March of 1892\, black business owner Thomas Moss and his employees\, Calvin McDowell and Will Stewart\, were arrested for defending themselves against an attack on their store\, People’s Grocery\, in an area just outside Memphis. The three were defending themselves from police officers and the white owner of a neighboring grocery. In the fray\, several deputies were wounded but survived. \nMoss\, McDowell\, and Stewart were booked into the downtown jail\, but they were later pulled from the jail by a white mob. The three were dragged to a deserted rail yard in North Memphis and shot to death. \nThe murder of the young men enraged journalist Ida B. Wells\, and this incident became a turning point in her life. She began traveling the south to investigate reports of white violence against blacks. She found middle-class black people were just as subject to murder by whites as poor blacks were. Wells discovered that black men were often being lynched not for rape but as punishment for having sexual relations with consenting white women. Wells asserted that the real reason for lynching was in retribution to black economic progress. She first published her findings in an 1892 pamphlet entitled “Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases.” \n“Nobody in this section of the community believes that old threadbare lie that Negro men rape white women. If Southern men are not careful\, a conclusion might be reached which will be very damaging to the moral reputation of their women\,” wrote Wells. \nIn retaliation\, Wells’ life was threatened in Memphis newspaper articles\, the writers of which assumed she was a man. The Memphis Scimitar issued this warning: “It will be the duty of those whom he has attacked to tie the wretch to a stake\, brand him in the forehead with a hot iron\, and perform upon him a surgical operation with a pair of shears.” \nWhite males destroyed Wells’ newspaper\, which was housed in an office on historic Beale Street. Wells was out of town at the time\, and she chose not to return. She went on to launch a national crusade against lynching in the U.S. and abroad. \nThe Ell Persons Lynching & the NAACP in Memphis\nEll Persons\, accused of raping and murdering a 16-year-old white girl named Antoinette Rappel\, was burned alive near the Macon Road Bridge at the Wolf River on May 22nd\, 1917. Drawn by headlines in The Commercial Appeal\, several thousand men\, women\, and children showed up to watch as Persons was decapitated\, dismembered\, and had his heart cut out. Rappel’s mother declared\, “Let the Negro suffer as my little girl suffered\, only 10 times worse.” The mob enjoyed the spectacle as they chewed gum\, ate sandwiches\, and enjoyed soft drinks. \nPerson’s head was later thrown into a crowd of African Americans on Beale Street. No one was ever charged with the crime. Persons’ death was one of the most vicious lynchings in American history. After the event\, horrified African Americans in Memphis gathered to express their pain. When NAACP Field Secretary James Weldon Johnson arrived in Memphis to investigate the lynching\, Robert R. Church\, Jr. brought him to this site where an American flag marked the charred and blackened earth. Johnson found no evidence that Persons killed Rappel. He wrote that “the truth flashed over me that in large measure the race question involves the saving of black America’s body and white America’s soul.” \nJohnson found a black community ready to take a stand in combating daily racism and violence in the South. With the help of Robert Church\, Jr. and businessman Bert Roddy\, the Memphis branch of the NAACP was organized with 53 members. It was the first NAACP branch in Tennessee and only the fourth branch in the South. The next year\, when Johnson made his tour of NAACP branches\, he returned to speak on April 14th to an audience of about 2\,500 people crowded into Church Park and Auditorium. The meeting launched a vigorous campaign\, growing the membership to 924. \nRobert Church Jr. publicly denounced lynching and endorsed the work of the NAACP when it was dangerous to do so. At the first Lincoln Republican League meeting at Church Auditorium following the Ell Persons atrocity\, Church spoke to over 3\,000 people\, proclaiming “I would be untrue to you as your elected leader if I should remain silent against shame and crime of lawlessness of any character\, and I could not if I would hold my peace against the lynching or burning of a human being …” \nBy 1919\, the Memphis NAACP was the largest branch in the South. Robert Church\, Jr. was the first Southerner elected to the NAACP’s National Board of Directors\, helping to launch 68 branches in 14 states. Together\, the lynching of Ell Persons and the establishment of the Memphis NAACP in 1917 changed the political landscape of the South.
URL:https://crosstownarts.org/calendar/artraceviolence-a-collaborative-response/
LOCATION:Crosstown Arts Galleries\, 1350 Concourse Ave.\, Suite 280\, Memphis\, TN\, 38104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Gallery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://crosstownarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/fistDraft2small-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR