Enjoying the Humanities in 2014

By  Nina Kendall

As 2014 comes to a close, I think about the opportunities to enjoy the humanities this year. This has truly been a year of fun engaging events. I have enjoyed art, music, and history this year all supported by the Georgia Humanities Council. As they work to fill their mission of making the humanities part of the life of every Georgian, they support unique projects and events throughout the state.  These events offer history, fun, and fellowship for the citizens of the state.  Here are some of my favorites from this past year.

Freedom Singers Concert
The Freedoms Singers are artists dedicated to continuing the tradition of singing rooted in the efforts of SNCC during the Albany Movement. Led by original SNCC Freedom Singer Rutha Harris, these performers share music and history with their audiences. Their performances focus on songs that provided courage to movement participants. Once they started singing the entire room was enveloped in song. Everyone sang along.  I enjoyed their performance in Atlanta, but you can find them performing the second Saturday of every month at the Albany Civil Rights Institute.  This group is a 2014 Governor’s Awards for the Arts & Humanities recipient and is definitely worth the trip to Albany.

Inspired Georgia
Inspired Georgia is a collection of 28 works by Georgians. This traveling collection features examples of folk art, abstract painting, realist painting, works on paper, landscape photography, and people and place in photography.  It was a chance to get to know the state art collection which has no permanent home. In this exhibit, you find the collective experience of the state, the traditions of rural Georgia and the modern urban experience. In each work, you can find a little history of the state. This collection will evoke your memories and touch your heart. For me it evoked memories of childhood and glimpse into modern life in Atlanta.

KONGO across the WATERS
KONGO across the WATERS brought art and artifacts from the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art in Gainesville, Florida, and from collections across the United States to Atlanta.  This exhibit fluidly combined art and history into an engaging experience. As you walked through the exhibit, you got a chance to enjoy centuries of art ranging from 16^th century images to 20^th century carvings and learn about the evolution of the form in different regions of the world. This exhibit was a walk down memory lane. Art forms and traditions common to the region displayed with their cultural roots. Face jugs and funeral practices illustrated the deep cultural connects between the southeastern United States and the Kongo peoples of western Central Africa.  Art and artifacts revealed the influence of diverse cultures whose history in the United States is not well preserved. I visited during an open house when members of the community went from piece to piece sharing their stories and connecting with the works.

To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine
Actor Ian Ruskin performed the one man show, To Begin the World Over Again: the Life of Thomas Paine. Ruskin brought to life Revolutionary history while exploring the complex life of Thomas Paine. The audience were both engaged and educated by the nuanced performance of Mr. Ruskin. His performance helped make revealed many of the issues of the period and the revolutionary, Thomas Paine. It is a rare treat to learn from and enjoy live drama.

These are just a few of my favorite events from the past year supported by the Georgia Humanities Council. Yet it represents a small portion of the work done every year by this organization. From supporting teachers to encouraging literacy across the state, the Georgia Humanities Council is touching all our lives. I encourage you to check out their schedule in the coming months and make their work part of your plans in 2015.

Fall Festivals: Explore the World in Your Own Community

By Jeff Burns

Cooler weather, leaves turning.  That means it’s time for the fall festivals that abound at this time of year.  Every weekend, you can find something fun to take in.  Schools, churches, and communities have their annual fairs and festivals.  There are arts and crafts festivals, quilt shows, ethnic festivals, and Native American powwows everywhere.

Recently, we went to Greece and Romania in the same day, about an hour from our home.  First up was the 39^th Atlanta Greek Festival held at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.  There were vendors selling jewelry and fashion, and Greek music and dancing on stage all day long.  The big attraction, of course, was the fantastic food:  souvlaki, moussaka, baklava, salads, Greek coffee, Greek potatoes, gyros, etc.  There was even a market where you could buy Greek pastries to take home along with any ingredient you needed to cook Greek at home.

The Cathedral was also open for tours and brief lectures by parishioners about the history of the Greek Orthodox Church and its rituals.  The cathedral was built in the 1960s and is the home of beautiful one of a kind mosaic icons and scenes, like the figure of Christ on the dome interior on the left and the resurrection in the center, created by a gifted Italian artist.

Then, twenty minutes later, we were in Romania for the Atlanta Fall Romanian Festival, which had a different feel.  It was much smaller, and there were no vendors except for food. Here, the focus was on food and performance.  Romanian was the language of the day.  The emcees spoke Romanian and looked as if they were Eastern European television news presenters.   There was food (like the stuffed cabbage and polenta in the photo), dance, and music, and the church operated a small Romanian museum, with mostly examples of national costumes.

It was a fun and delicious whirlwind tour of southeastern Europe.  Take your own tour this weekend!

Over Here and Over There: Travel across Georgia to enjoy World War II History

By Nina Kendall

Traveling exhibits and special events at local and state institutions are great opportunities to enjoy a little history. This fall you can immerse yourselves in World War II history. The University of West Georgia, and the 6th Cavalry Museum are hosting events this fall that commemorate the contribution of Georgia and Georgians to the fight to win World War II.  

The events at the University of West Georgia are built around the display of the traveling panel exhibit, “Over Here and Over There: Georgia and Georgians in World War II” that opens October 13, 2014. This exhibit focuses on how Georgians on the home front and the battle field made contributions to fighting World War II. Over Here and Over There is free and open to the public and will be on display through December 7 in the University of West Georgia’s Ingram Library. This exhibit is presented by the Ingram Library’s Penelope Melson Society with the support of the Georgia Humanities Council will also include displays of artifacts from local collectors of World War II memorabilia. While the exhibit is open, the University of West Georgia will host events and lectures to complement the display and engage the public.

The 6^th Calvary Museum will host the 5th Annual Remembering Our Heroes - School Day Program on October 24, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Bring your students the Museum to experience World War II program presented by living historians. Thanks to a grant from the Georgia Humanities Council, Georgia students are admitted for free. Students from Tennessee are just $2 each. All teachers, chaperones and bus drivers are free. School groups must register in advance. Call the museum at 706-861-2860 to schedule your school group.

The 5th Annual Remembering Our Heroes will take place on October 25, 2014, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and be open to the public.  The 6th Cavalry Museum and community volunteers present a day of living history and remembrance of our Armed Forces.  The event will be held on the former parade ground of the Army Post at Fort Oglethorpe. Come to the museum and experience World War II history in a brand new way.
 

Events

 
Over Here and There: Georgia and Georgians in World War II
University of West Georgia/Ingram Library
1601 Maple St., Carrollton 30118
October 13, 2014 9:00 AM to December 07, 2014 5:00 PM
The exhibit, on display at the University of West Georgia/Ingram Library, will focus on WWII and the home front.

Swing Time: An Extravaganza of Big Band Music from the World War II Era
University of West Georgia Campus Center Ballroom
1601 Maple St., Carrollton 30118
October 17, 2014 7:00 PM to October 17, 2014 9:00 PM
The event features live music and dance of the WWII era, led by Dr. Dan Bakos, Director of Jazz Studies at the University of W. Georgia.

Remembering Our Heroes School Day
6th Cavalry Museum
6 Barnhardt Circle, Ft. Oglethorpe 30742
October 24, 2014 9:00 AM to October 24, 2014 1:00 PM
This will be a day of living World War II history at the 6th Cavalry Museum at Ft. Oglethorpe.

Remembering Our Heroes  
6th Cavalry Museum
6 Barnhardt Circle, Ft. Oglethorpe 30742
October 25, 2014 10:00 AM to October 25, 2014 4:00 PM
This will be a day of living World War II history at the 6th Cavalry Museum at Ft. Oglethorpe.

Mobilizing the Arsenal of Democracy: How Georgia was Transformed During WWII
University of West Georgia/Ingram Library
1601 Maple St., Carrollton 30118
October 28, 2014 11:00 AM to October 28, 2014 12:00 PM
Dr. Charles Chamberlain will speak on the economic impact of WWII in Georgia and the South.

Rationing for Victory: Food as a Weapon on the Home Front in World War II
University of West Georgia/Ingram Library
1601 Maple St., Carrollton 30118
November 11, 2014 11:00 AM to November 11, 2014 12:00 PM
Dr. Jennifer Jensen Wallach of the University of N. Texas and author of, "How America Eats: A Social History of U.S. Food and Culture" discusses food rationing during WWII.  

Traveling with History: Memphis

By Nina Kendall

Looking for a different vacation destination? Want to immerse yourself in history? Then Memphis is a great choice for you. Memphis is the heart of the Mid-South. The position of the city on the banks of the Mississippi River creates a unique mix of agrarian tradition and economic opportunity. This city was the site of battle in the Civil War and the birthplace of Rock’ n Roll. When you visit, you will find something for everyone to enjoy.

Here are a few great places to visit:

Memphis Rock-N-Soul Museum is a fascinating Smithsonian affiliated museum with a personal audio tour. You begin with a movie and then walk through the history of music in Memphis. With each exhibit you can choose from audio narration and musical selections to enhance the exhibits. The exhibits tell the story of modern music, the role of radio in its development, and how the community was impacted by the opportunities. Learn about the challenges musicians faced and the unique way they were addressed in Memphis. You can spend hours listening to music and enjoying the exhibits.

The Memphis Rock-N-Soul Museum is one of many music attractions in the area. It is across the street from the Gibson Guitar factory which you can tour. It is also a few blocks from Beale Street the famous Music District in Memphis. Here you can here live music, visit Dyer’s Burgers, and see the statue of W.C. Handy. If you are willing to drive a little further, you can even visit Graceland.

Sun Studio is one of the most famous recording studios in the history of American music.  Here you can see the artifacts of the studio and hear early Elvis recordings. In this little building you can find the history of the million dollar quartet and the birth of rock-n-roll. From DJ booth to recording studio, you can see all parts of the story.

National Civil Rights Museum is a museum built on the site of the Lorraine Motel. Here you can learn about the movement for Civil Rights and follow the events surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr and the pursuit of James Earl Ray. You can stand in the room James Earl Ray rented and visit the room occupied by Dr. King. Interactive exhibits combine text, images and audio to immerse you in the tragedy of the place and the victories of the movement.

The Pink Palace is a museum that features both natural and cultural history of the region. You can enjoy moving dinosaurs on the ground floor before strolling through a replica Piggly Wiggly on the second floor.  You can walk through the history of the region. See a Model T and view the dress of a former Cotton Queen. What do you think your favorite exhibit will be/?

Of course, no visit to Memphis would be complete without a chance to enjoy the Mississippi River. Memphis has some great options. You can drive down to the banks of the river to take a picture, visit Mud Island River Park and Mississippi River Museum, or even choose to take a river cruise.

Food Destinations: Agricultural and Industrial History

By Nina Kendall

 

Food tells a story. It is a source of economic revenue, and a reflection of geography, industry, and tradition in an area. You can learn about food history from books, by conducting oral history interviews, and through visits to museums and corporations.  Food tourism can be interesting. It is a chance to view a unique slice of history. Here are a few sites to consider:

The World of Coca-Cola is a museum that documents the development of Coca-Cola and the growth of the corporation.  Here you can learn about the strategy of Asa Candler in marketing his product, and see how the corporation has customized its brand for different cultures. In this museum, you can watch a movie, sample drinks from around the world, and see how Coca-Cola is produced. It is a lot of fun for the whole family and ends in the tasting room.

Vidalia Onion Museum documents the history of this unique product. This onion   has transformed a region and made a lasting impact of the food world. The Vidalia Onion Festival has celebrated the impact of this industry for decades.  When traveling through South Georgia you should check it out.  

The SPAM Museum is in St. Austin, Minnesota. This large museum documents the history of this canned meat. Visit this free museum to learn about the varieties of SPAM and try your hand at SPAM trivia. Perhaps this will be a stop on your next road trip.

Hershey’s Chocolate World  is in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Here at the home of the Hershey Company you can enjoy sweet history.  You can learn about how chocolate is made, sample a few varieties, and create your own candy bar. Hershey’s Chocolate World along with other local attractions makes this town a destination.

The Blue Bell Creamery tour is both interesting and delicious. You can arraign for a tour of the factory or just visit the Country Store and Parlor.  With locations in Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma, you have a number of chances to learn about how ice cream is made.  What a sweet day!

You can learn about the agricultural industry of Hawaii at Dole Plantation in Wahiawa on the island of Oahu. Enjoy a pineapple cutting exhibition or explore the maze and planation gardens.

No matter your destination enjoy a little food history on the way. Learn about the economic impact of food and agricultural industries. See how unique products have shaped this land. It will certainly be a tasty adventure.

Staycation: Exploring the Changes in the Local Food Landscape

By Jeff Burns

            “The best laid plans….”  Our plan to have one lunch per week in a new restaurant or to try a new ethnic cuisine was a good plan, but life got in the way, and we haven’t quite made it each week.  However, we still managed to add some new favorites to our list. Here are a few find from our hunt for the food of a modern land.

            First up:  Villains Wicked Heroes.  Every menu item carries the name of a pop culture villain, from Lucy Van Pelt (Cajun boiled peanuts appetizer of course) to Bluto (a spinach salad) and Goldfinger (a hot brown sandwich hero).  The menu is a lot of fun, and the food is even better.  I enjoyed my favorite Bond villain, Oddjob, and my wife had a Mumm-Ra.

             Second, we visited Sobban- Korean Southern Diner in Decatur, the brainchild of a couple with another very successful restaurant, Heirloom Barbecue.  He’s southern, she’s south Korean, and they discovered that their cultures share many things in common, like a love for barbecue, pork, and pickles.  At Sobban, they’ve masterfully blended the two into many delicious dishes.  We started with a kimchi deviled egg and okara hushpuppies with kimchi  remoulade as appetizers.  (Not okra, okara is a soy pulp, a byproduct of making tofu) Our entrees were a bulgogi beef burger and a fried bologna sandwich – you guessed it, with kimchi – featuring bologna made in house.  It was all great.          





 Finally, we returned to Buford Highway, the most eclectic area of Atlanta.  Within sight at any time might be a Korean, an Indian, a Peruvian, a Mexican, and a Vietnamese restaurant.  We went to the Oriental Pearl, a Chinese dim sum restaurant.  We’ve eaten dim sum at other restaurants, but this was first time at Oriental Pearl.  If you’re not familiar with dim sum, it’s a Cantonese style of cooking bite sized servings on small plates, and servers wheel carts loaded with the offerings around the room.  You tell them what you want, they mark your bill, and the cashier tallies your cost by adding up the plates.  Foods include lots of dumplings and buns stuffed with shrimp, pork, tofu, vegetables, or some combination thereof, squid, chicken feet, and various vegetables.  Most dishes are steamed or fried.  It was a great experience, and I think we’ve found a new favorite dim sum place.

Traveling Exhibits: Enjoy Art and History in your Neighborhood!

By: Nina Kendall

View of Inspired Georgia at ArtsClayton

Art is the visual medium that captures the human experience. It is the expression that helps us connect to each other. We see ourselves and others in art.  Happiness, pain, love, and regret are all captured by the works of artists. The timelessness of the human experience is there on the canvas for us to enjoy. Each work touches our humanity and connects us with history.

From the destruction of the statute of King George III on July 9, 1776 to Dolley Madison’s brave rescue of the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, Americans have connected to art. The Wadsworth Atheneum founded in 1842 in Hartford, Connecticut is the oldest public art museum in the United States. Many states have public art collections that preserve the work of the citizens of the individual states.  The Alice Art Collection of Utah was begun in 1899. Some collections are on exhibits in museums. Other public installations like the Empire State Plaza Art Collection have become landmarks. Not everyone is lucky enough to live near an art museum, or public art installation.

ArtsClayton Gallery

In Georgia, the state art collection has no public home. Begun in the 1970’s the collection was first shared across the state via bus.  The some 600 works of the collection were compiled from 1970’s to the 1990’s. This year part of the Georgia State Art Collection has been traveling around the state for the enjoyment of all citizens. 28 selected works from the state collection will continue to be on display until the end of 2014. It is currently at its sixth stop at Arts Clayton in Jonesboro.  The exhibit will make stops later this year in Dublin, Tifton, and Kingsland. The traveling exhibit, Inspired Georgia, is sponsored in part by the Georgia Humanities Council, Department of Economic Development/Tourism, and the Georgia Council for the Arts.

Inspired Georgia is a collection of 28 works by Georgians. This traveling collection features examples of folk art, abstract painting, realist painting, works on paper, landscape photography, and people and place in photography. In this exhibit you find the collective experience of the state, the traditions of rural Georgia and the modern, developing urban experience. In each work, you can find a little history of the state. This collection will evoke your memories and touch your heart. Take the time to connect with this collection. Look for what it represents from your past and shows of your present.

                                                                     Tour Schedule

Arts Clayton, Jonesboro                                                       
May 31 – July 24, 2014

 

The Carnegie Library, Dublin                                   
July 26 – September 11, 2014

 

Georgia Museum of Agriculture at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton
September 13 – October 27, 2014

Historic Train Depot, Kingsland
October 29 –December 11, 2014

Touring Historic Sites in Atlanta