Photographer Debra Ferguson will be at the Columbus Library Thursday, April 23 at noon to speak about her inspiration for and the stories behind the photographs depicted in the exhibit “This Delta: Photographs by Debra L. Ferguson,” on display at the library until April 27.
The traveling exhibit funded by a Mississippi Humanities Council award given to the Delta State University’s Archives and Museum is composed of seven panels featuring themes of Delta life and history. The free-standing panels and one introductory panel were designed by Delta State graphic designer and brand manager Laura Fleeman Walker and features photographs from Ferguson’s decades-long career as a photographer.
A native of the Mississippi Delta, Ferguson works as a magazine and advertising photographer, specializing in agricultural and rural lifestyle subjects. Her photography has appeared in Farm Journal, Progressive Farmer, Southern Living Travel and other publications and advertising campaigns.
Accompanying the imagery in the exhibit are the words and lyrics of a few of Mississippi’s notable writers and musicians. Together, the impact is one that will stir memories of days gone by, but should also encourage viewers to share those memories with the next generation.
Arranged by theme, the panels cover topics such as Delta Folks, Taming the Land, Sacred Spaces, Delta Relics, Passing Through, Nature’s Rhythm and Going to Town. Each panel can stand alone to tell its story; placed together, they offer a panorama of the historic landscape of the Delta from the not-too-distant past.
In conjunction with the traveling panels there is also an online version of the exhibit. The digital version, found at ThisDelta.com, provides more background information on the images as well as additional notes of historic interest and context for the entire exhibition.
After “This Delta” leaves the Columbus library, it will visit the Museum of the Mississippi Delta in Greenwood in May and June, and Water Valley from July through September.
A tangible piece of history, the exhibit is designed to encourage dialogue between and among generations. As Eudora Welty is quoted to have said, “Southerners love a good tale. They are born reciters, great memory retainers, diary keepers, letter exchangers … great talkers.”
Support for this exhibit was provided by the Mississippi Humanities Council and AgFax Media, a web-based agricultural resource.
For more information, contact Mona Vance-Ali, 662-329-5304, or or email [email protected].
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.