Unveiling the Legacy: Of Salt and Spirit
The Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA) is excited to announce the upcoming exhibition, Of Salt and Spirit on view from November 16, 2024 – April 13, 2025. Over the past 20 years, MMA has amassed one of the largest quilt collections in the American South. Of Salt and Spirit will feature over 50 handmade quilts by Black southern artists, quilters’ portraits, and related objects to emphasize the importance of Mississippi and the broader South as foundational sites of knowledge production and artistic development.
Celebrating Quilting Heritage at the MMA
Of Salt and Spirit features quilts from the MMA collection and several collected by American photographer Roland L. Freeman on his travels, recently acquired by MMA in 2022. Curator Sharbreon Plummer, PhD, combines thorough research, innovative interpretation, and community engagement to form a cohesive, experiential study of American Art. The exhibition and accompanying publication provide new scholarship on the cultural impact of quilts, not only highlighting the craft and its intergenerational impact but dispelling harmful narratives that have been associated with Black female southern quilters for decades. Of Salt and Spirit demonstrates the truth of the craft, the detail of the practices, and the ingeniousness of the quilters’ methods.
Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Black Southern Quilting
MMA is honored to share the impact and legacy of collector, Roland L. Freeman, as a part of this exhibition. A trailblazer across many fields, Freeman is best remembered for his photographic chronicles of Black life in America, especially quilters in the rural South. A self-taught photographer, documentarian, and folklorist, Freeman’s impact was profound, and his dedication to Mississippi unparalleled.
As the co-director of the Mississippi Folklife Project, Freeman cultivated a lasting community dedicated to commemorating the state’s rich cultural and artistic legacy. Now, with this generous gift from the Kohler Foundation Inc., MMA can continue to preserve this critical artform and, to the best of our ability, embody his passion and care. The Mississippi Museum of Art is a public museum in Jackson, Mississippi. It is the largest museum in Mississippi.
A Journey Through the Rich Cultural Landscape
The museum offers a variety of tours to enrich the experience for groups of all ages. Some of our tours are offered regularly and do not require pre-registration, while others require advanced notice. Check out our current tour options for groups as you plan your visit.
Guided tours involve looking closely at works of art followed by a facilitated conversation, allowing viewers to make discoveries about the art. Background information about the artist and the historical and cultural context of the work will be woven into the conversation by your trained gallery educator. These tours access the viewer’s prior knowledge and help validate each person’s individual perspective while encouraging moments of deep thought and self-discovery.
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