The department of art and design is displaying a Black History Photo Show in its gallery until Feb. 29. The show’s purpose is to acknowledge and show the importance of African-Americans and their contributions to American society.
Virginia Bradley, Harding graduate of art and campus post office employee, not only designed the show for the art department, but also took most of the 71 photos displayed in the show, which includes pictures of current Harding African-American students and staff members.
Bradley said the show was something she really wanted to do and wanted to share with the students and faculty on campus.
This is the second year for the art department to host the photo show in honor of African-Americans. Bradley said she felt that the show could be an opportunity to celebrate Black History Month, so she asked the art department if she could do it. She said she has always had an interest in photography and has her own sideline photography business, Morkadian Photography, which helped in taking the pictures for the show. She said she wanted the theme of the show to revolve around the question, “Why is Black History Month important?”
“I chose different students and people that I knew from different associations, church and students that had visited me here at the post office,” Bradley said concerning the selection of people to be featured in the art show.
Deshelle Isaac-Boyce, one of the students featured in the photo show, met Bradley through the student center post office. Boyce said she had talked to Bradley whenever she would send something and was able to make a connection with her, which in turn led to Bradley’s including Boyce in the show.
“I like the way she put it together,” Boyce said. “I thought it was creative and she really captured the essence of black history. I’m proud of my people and I’m glad someone took the time out to dedicate something to black history, and it was handcrafted.”
Brittany McMahan, junior public administration major, has also been doing her part to celebrate Black History Month in a somewhat similar way. McMahan has posted a different picture daily during the month of February to honor different influential African-Americans, such as George Washington Carver, the Little Rock Nine and Harriet Tubman.
McMahan said she felt that the history of African-Americans is not really something recognized in many places, but she believes that it is important to understand one’s roots and know where one came from.
“I think it is important to learn more about the black history and it is something to remember all the time,” McMahan said. “As a student body, it’s important to learn about each other’s cultures and customs. It’s nice that Ms. Bradley put together the show.”
McMahan said she felt Bradley’s Black History Photo Show is a step in the right direction of recognizing the influence of African-Americans on Harding’s campus. She also said that she appreciated the work Bradley put into the show.
“It was nice to have something on campus to honor Black History Month other than the posters in the caf,” McMahan said. “Those are good, but this is something different and more special.”
