CINCINNATI, OH. – The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will host Behind The Color of Money with John W. Jones Saturday, April 7 at 1:30 p.m. The program is in conjunction with Confederate Currency: The Color of Money and is included with general admission.
Artist John W. Jones researched and documented over 126 images of enslaved Africans depicted on currencies of the Confederate states and painted large acrylic works to draw attention to the portrayals of slavery. The inspiration behind Jones’ work is his belief that, “in these paintings, history informs art, which in turn artfully reveals more history.”
“We are pleased to have Mr. Jones provide his perspective and brilliance on storytelling through art,” says Christopher Miller, Manager of Program Initiatives at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “By sharing this insight of the imagery found on Confederacy currency with our guests, we are learning more about how intricate slavery was not only to the South, but to America’s economy.”
John W. Jones is an activist, artist, lecturer, illustrator and legacy preservationist. His work includes a painting series on the Buffalo soldiers, the 54th Massachusetts regiment and African Americans in the Military. He has been featured in Time Life Books, The New York Times, CNN, The Boston Globe, and other well-known media outlets. Jones was presented with the U.S. Consul General’s Award for Cultural Diplomacy by the Academia delle Belle Arti of Brera in Italy in April 2017.
Behind The Color of Money with John W. Jones is Saturday, April 7 at 1:30 p.m. at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This program is free with general admission and open to the public. For more information visit freedomcenter.org
