Thursday, August 29 – 6 PM
Historic Cane Hill Gallery
14327 Hwy 45, Cane Hill
Using Essie Ward’s folk art to consider the Ozark hillbilly stereotype, Susan Young will explore perceptions of the Ozarks and Ozarkers, how others perceive us, and where the perceptions meet in the middle.
Local historian Susan Young is a lifelong resident of Fayetteville and a fifth generation Ozarker with roots in the southern Appalachians of Kentucky and Tennessee. She served as the outreach coordinator at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History for 27 years. Her Ozark history interests include traditional folkways, religion, and cemeteries.
Susan currently serves on the boards of Historic Cane Hill, Heritage Trail Partners, and the Butterfield National Historic Trail Association. She is also an active member of the Washington County Master Gardeners and the Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, genealogy, and birdwatching.
These public programs are offered free of charge, but reservations are required due to limited seating. Click here to reserve tickets.
Folk artist Essie Treat Ward was born in 1902 in Searcy County, where she resided until her death in 1981. Often called the “Grandma Moses of the Ozarks,” Essie was featured at the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. in 1970. Her pieces chronicle the often humorous everyday life in the Ozarks of fictional characters Miranda and Hezzakiah. Essie began drawing when she was a young girl and made art throughout her life without the benefit of formal training.
Paintings from the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History’s Jeanne Hoffer-Tucker Collection.
Featured image: Run Miranda
Historic Cane Hill Gallery, 14327 South Hwy 45
The Gallery is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm.
Appointments for private tours are welcome and group tours are encouraged.
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