Exhibitions

Jasper, Texas: The Healing of a Community in Crisis
 

Huff Creek Road, Photograph by Sarah Wilson.

On the morning of June 7, 1998, the body of James Byrd Jr. was discovered in front of an African American church near Jasper, Texas. James Byrd was the victim of a hate crime that shocked and devastated the small East Texas town. This exhibition explores the impact of the murder on the community and emphasizes the vital role local ministers played in keeping the peace in the days and months following Byrd’s death.

Exhibition

Jasper, Texas: The Healing of a Community in Crisis focuses attention on the strength of Jasper’s community—a subject often overlooked when the eyes of an international audience were focused on the gruesome crime and subsequent turmoil. The exhibition offers photographs of the idyllic Huff Creek Road, its residents, and the church where Byrd’s battered body was discovered. Other photographs layer the account of the murder with a narrative of how Jasper ministers used their relationships with each other and with their congregations to keep the incident from becoming a catalyst for more violence.

Photographs featured in the exhibition can be viewed at Sarah Wilson Photography. 

Jasper, Texas was organized by Dr. Ricardo Ainslie in collaboration with documentary photographer Sarah Wilson, and aided in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment of the Humanities.

Exhibition Format

*Rental fees are based primarily on the cost of shipping. Prices may vary based on current fuel surcharges or venue location within the state of Texas. Out-of-state rentals are priced on an individual basis. Please call for a rental fee quote specific to your venue.

Print Materials

A specified number of print materials are provided with this exhibition at no additional cost. Additional copies of these materials may be obtained for a nominal fee:

• 1 booklet, The Road to Redemption. Jasper, Texas: The Healing of a Community in Crisis

Publicity Materials

Press release

Jasper, Texas press release.

Publicity image

A publicity image is available for promoting this exhibition at your venue. Please contact the exhibitions coordinator to request an electronic file of this image. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the exhibitions coordinator to process your request.

Humanities Texas logos

Venues may request a CD with the Humanities Texas logo in a number of electronic file formats for use when developing print and online promotional materials. Logo files are also available for download on the logo page.