Written by Seetha Srinivasan

Looking through Jackson: Photographs by Ken Murphy published by Lemuria Books, I was so pleased to see that Tougaloo College’s Woodworth Chapel was included in this book celebrating the city’s landmarks. So when Hannah at Lemuria Books asked if I would post an entry to blog about the book, I accepted with alacrity.

Woodworth Chapel was built in 1901 by students, and is by far the most iconic structure on the 145-year-old Tougaloo College campus. A major renovation has restored the building to all its original beauty, and it is now on the National Register of Historic Places. As it well should be.

From its earliest days the chapel has been at the center of campus life. Notably during the turbulent sixties, Tougaloo was a haven for activists, and the chapel was the epicenter for the Jackson movement. Many a meeting was held there, and such leaders as Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis spoke at the chapel. I taught English at Tougaloo from 1969 to 1977, and heard memorable speakers like Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith and psychologist Kenneth Clark at the chapel. The chapel is often home to concerts, and after the ancient music group Boston Camerata performed there, their leader said that the group had not performed in a venue with better acoustics. Far and away my most unforgettable experience was being present for Fannie Lou Hamer’s appearance at Woodworth Chapel, as she recounted with power and passion her family’s struggles on the Eastland Plantation and then her political involvement. When she concluded by singing “Nobody Knows the Trouble I have Seen,” there was not a dry eye in the packed chapel.

When we came to Tougaloo in 1969, it was on the edge of Jackson in every sense of the word. In the early 1990’s when the college hosted a lunch for business and community leaders, the venue was filled to capacity, reflecting the changing dynamics of the city. Now with Tougaloo College’s Woodworth Chapel included in this collection of photographs paying homage to Jackson, the integration of the institution, is in a sense, complete.

Tougaloo College has a venerable place in the state’s history and culture, and it is only right that Woodworth Chapel be recognized as one of Jackson’s iconic buildings. Thank you to Ken Murphy and to John Evans for giving this stately structure its due in their beautiful book Jackson.

Jackson: photographs by Ken Murphy is available now for purchase. To order a copy, call Lemuria Books at 601.366.7619 or visit us online at lemuriabooks.com. Please join us in celebrating Jackson on August 5th at 5:00 in Banner Hall!

The Following article was originally published on The Scout Guide website on August 9, 2014

Marsha Cannon authors On Pinehurst Place, a lifestyle blog centered around art, entertaining, interiors, gardening, Jackson happenings and more. Here, she shares a recent event held in Banner Hall, tied to the release of the highly anticipated book, JACKSON…

Art Space 86 wowed us again this week with their fourth show of the year popping up in Banner Hall. The brainchild of college friends and Jackson artists David West and Jerrod Patridge, Art Space 86 is on a mission to bring art to the people of Jackson in an exciting, new way.

IT’S REALLY A SIMPLE IDEA: TAKE A VACANT SPACE, POP-UP A SHOP AND WHEN THE EVENT CLOSES, MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPACE.

West, a Belhaven art instructor, gives a little insight into the naming of the venture – “Once we’re done, we’ll “86″ it (a restaurant term for pulling something off the menu) and we’ll be popping up somewhere else in the future.” I popped by as they were setting up so you could see that the show does quite literally “pop-up.”  The day of a show, the two friends arrive with hammers and nails to set up, as Partridge calls it, “a party based around art”…

Each space is completely different and comes with its own challenges but Partridge says this just adds to the excitement of creatively using spaces that were not intended to be used as galleries. When they “86″ this space it looks to me like it could make it as a gallery! There is plenty of natural light…

and the artwork shows up beautifully…

Previous shows have not really had a theme but this one centered around Jackson – the city. Coinciding with the release of Lemuria and Ken Murphy’s book Jackson, the show featured art inspired by city venues as well as the opportunity to purchase Jackson and have it signed by Mr. Murphy. Between Art Space 86 and Lemuria, Banner Hall was brimming…

The creative duo enjoying the event…

participating artists…

I love this feature of the pop up show – a selection of works priced at, you guessed it, $86 each.

Music for each of the shows has been provided by Leo Moreira and Jesus Velazquez…

Lemuria is doing its part in promoting Jackson with their “Let’s Talk Jackson” movement…

colorful T-shirts and mugs carry the theme…

There are many opportunities to meet Ken Murphy and have a book signed…

as well as several cover choices…

My personal choice…

A perfect pair– Lemuria and Art Space 86… Join the conversation!

To keep up with upcoming Art Space 86 events follow them on Facebook at ART SPACE 86.

Jackson: photographs by Ken Murphy is available now for purchase. To order a copy, call Lemuria Books at 601.366.7619 or visit us online at lemuriabooks.com. 

Written by Rebecca Wilkinson

The Mal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade is one of the highlights of the year in Jackson, MS. Malcolm White is the creator of the parade and owner of Hal and Mal’s Restaurant.  Malcolm makes the point that the parade is beyond a traditional celebration of St. Patrick’s day, but more so it is a celebration of the city of Jackson.

I was a waitress at Hal and Mal’s in the early nineties and enjoyed “working” the parade in the restaurant. With prompting from Malcolm, Lesley McHardy and Ruma Haque formed a marching group in 1999 called the Green Ladies and asked me to join.  I jumped at the chance.  Our group has grown over the years to include 50 woman representing teachers, nurses, artists, dentists, real estate agents, bartenders, and stay-at-home moms.  On the third Saturday of every March, we unite as Green Ladies, decked out in glittery costumes and our signature green jackets.

Pre-parade preparation begins with making costumes and creating our signature throws.  Our costumes reflect the designated theme that is announced at the beginning of the year by Malcolm White.  Themes have encompassed everything from the Wizard of Oz and Elvis to recycling.  The themes have also celebrated local celebrities such as Felder Rushing, Cat Cora, Cotton Baronich, and The New Orleans Saints. Along with the expected beads, bouncy balls, and buttons, the green lady signature throw is a coveted collaged domino that reflects the theme of the parade.  Another Green Ladies ritual is collecting toys and monetary donations for the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital prior to the parade.  We can be spotted in full costume at Sal and Mookie’s, McDades, Hal and Mal’s, and other local business collecting donations.  Personally, I think this is the best part of participating in such an awesome group.

Parade day begins with a brunch at the home of Kathy and Michael Potts.  Bloody marys and mimosas grease the wheel of our raucous group of gals.  We then gather in the big room at Hal and Mal’s to put the final touches on our makeup and organize our throws. The big room pre-parade ritual includes visiting with the other marching crews and reunions with out of town marchers who make it back to Jackson to participate. When one o’clock strikes we begin to make our way to the parade route.  Charley Abraham, the long time parade production wizard, begins to wrangle the marching crews into place and we begin the parade.  There is nothing like turning the corner on Capitol Street and seeing the crowds of thousands who show up for the celebration.

The official judges of the parade are the Bucket Heads.  The identity of the Bucket Heads are disguised by, well, buckets. Marching crews usually produce a skit or a dance for the judges.  Green Ladies have been known to spell out parade themed messages attached to their bloomers.  By the time we get to the judges, the bloody marys and mimosas have kicked in and the spelling of the words often get out of order.  It’s to be expected when such a good time is being had by all.

As we march past the museum and onto Court Street, we try to hold on to throws for the last of the masses.  The parade has grown over the years and the crowd just doesn’t seem to stop.  We are some of the first who arrive back at Hal and Mal’s, and it’s not over yet.  The Green Ladies escort the featured New Orleans style brass band onto the stage in the big room for one of the best dance parties in town.  We are all usually sore the next day from dancing, but it is worth it.

The Mal’s  St. Paddy’s Day Parade is the most fun event in our city.  I am so fortunate that it has become an annual celebration and that I am involved.  I can’t wait to see what the theme will be for this up coming year.

Jackson: photographs by Ken Murphy is available now for purchase. To order a copy, call Lemuria Books at 601.366.7619 or visit us online at lemuriabooks.com. 

In early 2013, Ken and I had been talking about our Jackson photo book for a few months. Seriousness about our project had been growing and it was time to start if we were going to team up; the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was about to happen.

I told Ken if we were going to do this book, he would have to shoot Mal’s parade. Ken came to Jackson for this event and shot hundreds of photos. He put them on  a disc so I could study his work, and needless to say, this was the beginning of our actual project.

The St. Patrick’s Parade offered so many fine, fun photos that sorting down to just four was difficult. A favorite of mine, a photo of the parade in front of Hal and Mal’s, was last to go as our book filled up.

However, Ken captured a very special parade moment: our Irish girl (plate 10). She immediately became a favorite, and I feel her spirit reflected in this shot captures the goal of our book. She is beautiful. She is having fun. And, she is participating in one of the most celebrated events that happens in our city.

Unfortunately, we don’t know who this special shamrock lady is. She is now #1 on our most wanted list.

For stepping forward, her reward is a free Jackson book (dust jacket of her choice), a #letstalkjackson t-shirt (a green one, no doubt), and a #letstalkjackson coffee mug.

P.S., If Ms. Shamrock would consent, we would like to make her our “Let’s Talk Jackson” poster lady!

Where are you? Who are you? Please step forward and say hi, and help us talk about Jackson!

Jackson: photographs by Ken Murphy is available now for purchase. To order a copy, call Lemuria Books at 601.366.7619 or visit us online at lemuriabooks.com. 

Written, Recorded, and performed by Dr. Steve Smith 

The Jackson Rag from Steve Smith on Vimeo.

Jackson: photographs by Ken Murphy is available now for purchase. To order a copy, call Lemuria Books at 601.366.7619 or visit us online at lemuriabooks.com.