Regular Folk Giving Light Limited Edition Print
Regular Folk Giving Light Limited Edition Print
Regular Folk Giving Light limited-edition, signed and numbered prints by Jennifer Drinkwater.
Edition of 100. Each piece is printed on high-quality Hahnemuhle photo rag paper measuring 10" H x 10" W that includes a 1.5" white border suitable for matting and framing.
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Please note: print does not come matted or framed.
Twenty percent of profits support the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, an organization that exists “to tell the story of Emmett Till in a way that moves people forward. We use art and storytelling to help process past pains and imagine new possibilities for the future.” Learn more at https://www.emmett-till.org/.
The community conversation that inspired Regular Folk Giving Light:
In late 2019, I interviewed Benjamin Saulsberry, the Public Engagement and Museum Education Director of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center (ETIC), and this conversation, and the work of the Center, inspired this series of paintings for The What’s Good Project.
So can you tell me a little bit about yourself, if you wouldn't mind?
Sure. So as you probably already know, my name is Benjamin Saulsberry, not to be confused with the steak, which is spelled entirely different. I'm a native of Tallahatchie County, born and raised in the area. I work at the Emmett Till Interpretive Center as the Public Engagement and Museum Education Director, which is just a fancy way of saying, "I do whatever our Executive Director doesn't do." But mostly, I get the opportunity to meet with visitors, be they a single, small party or large group. I'm also a singer-songwriter. I'm a signed artist with an independent label outside of Clarksdale, Mississippi, known as Influential Music.
Have you seen things in the area change over your lifetime at all?
Well, in some ways, yes, and then in some ways, not so much. Or rather, I think they're yet changing. For example, growing up, this town square, in particular, and this town in particular, were pretty much recognized as an all-white town and all-white square. You fast forward and now you have businesses owned and operated by African-American women...And I think a part of that has to do with the fact that this town and community-- or rather this county and community— began a process of racial reconciliation officially in 2007.
The Emmett Till Memorial Commission came about, and they've been trying to cultivate racial harmony here. In some ways, I think it's safe to say if had the Commission not happened, it's questionable as to whether or not this space would be here, and us having a space to have this conversation, and also having businesses owned and operated by folk of color.
