Press Release
In partnership with the MOJA Arts Festival and the Charleston 350 Commission, the City Gallery presents The Freedom Ship of Robert Smalls, its newest exhibition on view beginning October 29, 2020.
This exhibition presents large format reproductions of artist Jonathan Green's illustrations for Louise Meriweather's children's' book The Freedom Ship of Robert Smalls (right). Originally published in 1971, the new edition of the book, reprinted in 2018 by USC Press's Young Palmetto Books, includes fifteen vivid and colorful illustrations by Green detailing Robert Smalls' dramatic escape from slavery in 1862.
Jonathan Green's vibrant and colorful illustrations are presented at City Gallery with highlights from the book, alongside historical information about the life and legacy of Robert Smalls. The exhibition offers an in-person experience that extends and enhances the virtual programs of the MOJA Arts Festival and Charleston 350 Commemoration, set in close physical proximity to the sites associated with this historic event.
Additional information about Smalls, including links to educational and archival resources online, will be available on the City Gallery's website.
Exhibition viewing is offered Thursday through Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. To visit the gallery, guests must make a free reservation online at http://citygalleryatwaterfrontpark.com/about-us/ or by calling (843) 958-6484 during regular business hours. Reservations are limited to groups of 6 or less, with the last daily reservation being offered at 4:40 pm.
Guests who arrive at the gallery without an advance reservation will be offered the next available entry time.
What to expect at the gallery: Face masks will be required of all guests and staff, and staff will monitor circulation through the exhibition to ensure safe social distancing and adherence to all other CDC protocols related to COVID-19. Sanitizer stations will be provided in the gallery, and staff will use enhanced cleaning protocols for all City Gallery spaces throughout the day.
Once inside the gallery, visitors may take as much time as they desire to browse the exhibit, provided they remain masked and respect social distancing of 6 ft.
About the artist: Jonathan Green is an internationally acclaimed and awarded professional artist who graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1982. His forty-year track record of creating art and extensive inclusions in museum collections and exhibitions throughout many countries has led to his being considered by numerous art critics and reviewers as one of our nation's outstanding American artists and highly recognized visual master for capturing the positive aspects of American and African American Southern cultures, history, and traditions.
His high level of social interest and cultural commitments, and exhibitions have brought him international recognition through his travels and collections throughout North America, Europe, Central and South America, Caribbean, Africa, and Japan. It is Green’s mastery of color and skillful use of the human figure in rural and urban environments, which allows him to preserve and share with the viewer a deep sense of community, and how the life challenges of work, love, and belonging are met.
Since 1982 Jonathan Green has received four honorary doctoral degrees from prestigious universities and numerous awards for his art, social, civic, academic, and cultural contributions. In 2017 he was appointed by Mayor John Tecklenburg with the title of Ambassador for the Arts for the City of Charleston, South Carolina.
Mr. Green's art and talents have been incorporated into productions of ballet, modern dance, music, opera, theatre, literature, film, fashion clothing and video documentaries throughout the United States. Currently Jonathan Green resides and paints in his studio located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Website: www.jonathangreenstudios.com
