On September 22, 1906, Atlanta exploded into racial violence fueled by a cocktail of sensationalized rhetoric from politicians and unsubstantiated news stories about a black crime wave. The riot ended three days later with at least 25 blacks and 2 whites dead.
Atlanta's Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery is marking the 100th anniversary of the riot with its group exhibition What Color the Dawn: Breaking Silence on the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot. Curated by Kevin Sipp of the Hammonds House with Louise Shaw, formerly of Atlanta Contemporary Art Center and now with the CDC's art programs. What Color the Dawn includes the work of 8 regional artists, including High Museum curator Michael Harris. The show also includes a mix of mixed-media works, installation, and video that reflects on the riot both in direct, historical terms and in oblique, poetic ways. A listening station of oral histories by first- and second-generation witnesses is included, as well as an entire room installation by Hermina Glass Avery.
The show was organized by The Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot in collaboration with the gallery, and we note that the Coalition lists a number of related events, including poetry readings, walking tours, and a discussion of Rebecca Burns' Rage in the Gate City. The show closes on 30 September.
