CINCINNATI, OH – The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is extending Confederate Currency: The Color of Money, sponsored by BB&T, and Confederate Memory: Symbols, Controversy & Legacy through Sunday, July 15.
Confederate Currency: The Color of Money investigates the significance of slavery in the economy of the South. Artist John W. Jones researched and documented over 126 images of enslaved Africans depicted on the currency of the Confederate states. The exhibit displays images placed in a juxtaposition of framed Confederate bank notes and acrylic paintings influenced by the currency etchings portraying slavery. The inspiration behind Jones’ work is his belief that, “in these paintings, history informs art, which in turn artfully reveals more history.” The exhibit has traveled to the Avery Research Center Museum, the African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Louisiana State University, Schumacher Gallery and the Augusta Museum of History. 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.
Confederate Memory: Symbols, Controversy & Legacy examines historical memory and the lasting legacy of the Confederacy, addressing revisionist history and the national Confederate symbols debate.
“We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience these powerful exhibits,” says Jacqueline Dace, Deputy Director at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “We challenge and empower our visitors to discern between the factual history of the Confederacy’s past and present versus popular belief and opinion.”
Confederate Currency: The Color of Money, sponsored by BB&T, and Confederate Memory: Symbols, Controversy & Legacy, are open through Sunday, July 15. Admission for both exhibits is $5.00 per person with general admission. For more information about exhibitions and programming at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, visit freedomcenter.org
