Two-day event will include presentations by award-winning author Richard Orton, photo exhibits and screening of a documentary film
A largely ignored phenomenon in American history books has been freedom colonies, which were self-sustaining communities built by newly-emancipated African-Americans throughout the South in the decades after the Civil War. Now, students, faculty and staff at William Woods University (WWU), and members of the general public, will have the opportunity this week to learn about one of the most famous freedom colonies with a visit from the traveling exhibit, “The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family,” on February 8-9.
“The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family” is the result of a 25-year documentary project by author and photographer Richard Orton, who will be at WWU this week to give presentations about his work along with the photo exhibit and a documentary film screening.
Orton’s work tells the history of an African-American family who descended from newly-emancipated people that created the freedom colony of County Line, Texas. Unlike a common narrative that states that most African-Americans became sharecroppers and domestic help for white people, still dependent on others for their wellbeing even after slavery ended, there were people who organized their own self-sufficient communities, often in remote locations. County Line, located deep in the woods in Nacogdoches County, Texas, was just such a place, which Orton brings to life in his work.
“The exhibit tells the story of emancipated people who created their own world out of nothing but their own talents, energy and determination,” Orton said. “That heritage is evident in the images in this exhibit and the words accompanying them.”
Thursday, February 8, 2024
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Exhibit Open to the Public The gallery and exhibit will be open to the public. Admission is free. | Mildred M. Cox Gallery |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Beyond the Lens with Richard Orton Art, photography, film, and communications majors are invited to join Richard Orton in the gallery for an opportunity to learn more about the process of creating a photodocumentary process, as well as his experiences and lessons learned. The gallery will be closed to the public during this event. | Mildred M. Cox Gallery |
| 4:30 – 9 p.m. | Exhibit Open to the Public The gallery and exhibit will be open to the public. Admission is free. | Mildred M. Cox Gallery |
| 6 – 7 p.m. | The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family with Richard Orton William Woods University students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of Fulton and surrounding communities, are invited to join Richard Orton for a presentation about the history, stories, and people of County Line. Richard will also talk about his personal experiences, including relationships developed and lessons learned during the course of the photodocumentary project, The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family. This is a LEAD Event – you can earn 1 point by attending this event on 2/8/24 or 2/9/24. | Dulany Auditorium |
| 7:15 – 9 p.m. | Beyond the Lens with Richard Orton William Woods University students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of Fulton and surrounding communities, are invited to view The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family. Richard Orton will be in the gallery during this time and available to visit with patrons about the exhibit and his experiences. This is a LEAD Event – you can earn 1 point by attending this event on 2/8/24 or 2/9/24. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. Cash bar. | Mildred M. Cox Gallery |
Friday, February 9, 2024
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Exhibit Open to the Public The gallery and exhibit will be open to the public. Admission is free. | Mildred M. Cox Gallery |
| 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Beyond the Lens with Richard Orton William Woods University students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of Fulton and surrounding communities, are invited to view The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family. Richard Orton will be in the gallery during this time and available to visit with patrons about the exhibit and his experiences. | Mildred M. Cox Gallery |
| 1 – 3:15 p.m. | Raise Your Head Up by Richard Orton and Peyton Paulette William Woods University students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of Fulton and surrounding communities, are invited to join Richard Orton for a screening of this documentary about four Freedom Colonies in Texas, including County Line. The screening will be followed by an interactive panel discussion facilitated by Tony Weed, MFA, MBA – Dean, School of Social Sciences. Panelists include Richard Orton; Stephanie Washington, MPH – Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Zach Dowdle, PhD – Assistant Professor of History; and H. Stephen Cooper, PhD, LCSW – BSW Program Director. This is a LEAD Event (1 point). | Library Auditorium |
| 6 – 7 p.m. | The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family with Richard Orton William Woods University students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of Fulton and surrounding communities, are invited to join Richard Orton for a presentation about the history, stories, and people of County Line. Richard will also talk about his personal experiences, including relationships developed and lessons learned during the course of the photodocumentary project, The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family. This is a LEAD Event – you can earn 1 point by attending this event on 2/8/24 or 2/9/24. | Mildred M. Cox Gallery |
| 7:15 – 9 p.m. | Beyond the Lens with Richard Orton William Woods University students, faculty, and staff, as well as residents of Fulton and surrounding communities, are invited to view The Upshaws of County Line: An American Family. Richard Orton will be in the gallery during this time and available to visit with patrons about the exhibit and his experiences. This is a LEAD Event – you can earn 1 point by attending this event on 2/8/24 or 2/9/24. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. Cash bar. | Mildred M. Cox Gallery |
The photo documentary exhibition will remain on display in the Mildred M. Cox Gallery until March 8, 2024.
