Natchez Black History Month Art on display at WTYJ

By Roscoe Barnes III/Visit Natchez
Natchez, MS, USA / ListenUpYall.com
(Feb 9, 2024 | 4:27 PM)

An art exhibit highlighting the story of slain civil rights leader Wharlest Jackson Sr. is featured in new exhibit. Pictured from left are Robert Pernell, in background, Malcolm Innis, and George Lee aka G.Lee.

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The second annual art exhibit featuring the works of African Americans is on display in the lobby of the WTYJ /WMIS radio station at 20 E. Franklin St.

The event, which is called the Natchez Black History Month Art Exhibit, is hosted by Malcolm Innis, owner of New Vision Media, and is being featured for the entire month of February in recognition of Black History Month. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. It is free to the public.

“I’m pleased to say that we have art work that is influenced by Natchez notables,” Innis said. “We have several artists participating in the exhibit, and their work speaks for them.”

Malcolm Innis, owner of New Vision Media, reviews an exhibit of African American art on display in the lobby of WTYJ/WMIS at 20 E. Franklin St.

In addition to Richard Wright and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, the exhibit includes photographs of historic homes, drawings and paintings with African American themes.

On the wall is a framed collection of photos of historical African American sites by Natchez folk artist Debra McNeal. Her work presents images of the Forks of the Road slave market site, the Proud to Take a Stand monument, the William Johnson House, Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church, site of Wharlest Jackson Sr.’s bombing, NAPAC museum, Richard Wright’s childhood home, the Rhythm Night Club Memorial Museum, and Brumfield School.

This collection of photographs features some of the prominent historical African American sites in Natchez.

A table in the lobby presents the art of Virgie Prichett of Fayette who uses a bust, doll, and drawings to tell the story of Wharlest Jackson Sr. Jackson was a civil rights leader who worked as a treasurer for the NAACP in the 1960s. He died when his truck was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan on Feb. 27, 1967.

Jackson became a target of the Klan because of his work with the NAACP and his promotion at the Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company.

Other featured artists include Georgette Houston of Fayette; Bradley Bruce of Woodville; Leon Hollins III, Mack James, and Diane Penfield, all of Natchez.

Hollins, who works as a photographer and artist, created a mixed media presentation of Richard Wright, the famous author of “Native Son” and “Black Boy.”

“We’re trying to give the Natchez community and our core radio listeners a taste of the beauty of art,” said Inniss. “We want to create inspiration for people to come and see this important talent. We also plan to reach out to schools and ask them to provide field trips to students.”

Additionally, Innis said, the exhibit is a great attraction for tourists coming in off the boats. Wine and cheese will be served every Saturday or Sunday.

For more information, call Leon Hollins at 601-334-0987.