The Essence of the Crown Exhibition
JUNE 27 - August 30
THURSDAYS/FRIDAYS, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM AND SATURDAYS, NOON – 2:00 PM
The Essence of the Crown Exhibition celebrates the rich, dynamic history, artistry, and cultural significance of African American hair. It explores hair as an essential form of self-expression, identity, and resistance. Through art and history, the exhibition illuminates the influence of African American hair on fashion, beauty, and politics. The exhibition features works from Xena Proctor, Andrea Blackston, and Tisha “Tee” Taylor and historical panels that traces the evolution of Black hair in the United States—from traditional African hairstyles before the transatlantic slave trade to contemporary styles in 2025. It features iconic images, pop culture icons, and stories of Black entrepreneurs and industry pioneers who transformed Black hair into a movement.
Each artist uses a range of mediums—including oil, acrylic, and sculptural 3D materials—to highlight Black hair as a form of personal identity and creative expression. Visitors will encounter vibrant portraits, textural installations, and mixed-media works that celebrate the beauty, versatility, and symbolism of Black hair. There is no charge to experience the exhibition.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Tisha "Tee" Taylor is a Philadelphia-based artist whose vibrant and emotive portraits have captivated audiences nationwide. Taylor attended the Creative and Performing Arts High School, followed by Moore College of Art and Design, where she majored in Illustration with a minor in Fine Arts. She further enriched her education through summer courses at The University of the Arts and classes at the Wayne Art Center.
Xena S. Proctor is a visual artist who focuses on sculptures, paintings, and drawings. She studied art at the University of Southern Mississippi. Through her art, she shares Christian-faith based stories and encouragement while exploring organic to geometric shapes, weight, patterns, and mixed media. Her goal is to continue making authentic & eclectic pieces.
Andrea Blackston is a painter who primarily uses oil and acrylic paints. Her work is characterized by a bold and expressive style that combines rich color palettes, dynamic textures, and layers of depth. Drawing from both observation and imagination, Andrea approaches each canvas with an open mind, constantly experimenting with new techniques and exploring the boundaries of color, texture, and space. Andrea has participated in several international art projects, collaborating with artists from various backgrounds and creating murals in Ghana, West Africa.
Essence of the Crown Hair Show
AUGUST 29, 6 PM
The Essence of the Crown Hair Show will be a runway style hair show that highlights the artistry, culture, and creativity of professional cosmetologists (licensed) and amateur (non-licensed) hair stylists. The Hair Show is not only a celebration of beauty and heritage, but also a platform for inspiration, pride and the elevation of Black hair artistry.
Each participant is responsible for providing their own models and will be permitted to present up to three (3) hairstyles (not per model). For each style, participants will be given up to three minutes to introduce and present their work to the audience. The top hairstyle (s) will be selected by a panel of judges and audience engagement. The winner (s) will receive a prize. The number of winners/prizes will be determined by the number of entries.
To sign up: https://forms.gle/v6ZmoNMkWAFSGQHW6.
For more information call 601.450.1942.
Charles J. Brown Youth Civic Engagement and Leadership Camp
Held annually in June, the camp is for rising 7th through 9th graders with the goals of: cultivating their interests and passions to become engaged and responsible citizens in their community, enhancing students’ understanding of representative democracy and their role and responsibilities as citizens, and strengthening their leadership skills and confidence to help generate ideas and solve problems for the betterment of their communities.
The camp will include interactive activities, guest speakers, tours of historical sites and action civics brainstorming sessions focusing on the importance of civic engagement. Over the course of the camp, students will identify a community need and create a plan to address it. The camp ends with a Community Showcase where students will present their projects. The camp is in partnership with The University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Black Studies and School of Education and sponsored by Renasant.
Generations Strong: Inspiring African Americans Commemorative Wall Unveiling
On Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 4:30 p.m., more than 100 people gathered at the Historic Eureka School for the Sixth Street Museum District’s unveiling of the Generations Strong: Inspiring African Americans Commemorative Wall.
The 375-foot back lit wall, which borders the Northeast side of the Historic Eureka School’s property highlights more than 160 African American individuals or families from Hattiesburg who have inspired or continue to inspire others through their work and service.
EUROHA 2022 Class Reunion
Alumni of Eureka, Royal Street, Rowan and Hattiesburg High Schools gathered at Eureka for their bi-annual class reunion June 28-July 3, 2022.
Colored - A Perspective
Darryl Anderson's water-colored exhibition, Colored - A Perspective, was a part of FestivalSouth 2022 lineup. The exhibition featured over 25 watercolor paintings from Anderson's travels throughout Hattiesburg, Jackson, and Vicksburg, MS.
A native of Los Angeles, CA, Anderson has lived in Mississippi most of his life. He is a graduate of Provine High School in Jackson, MS. Anderson’s journey as an artist took flight when he was working as a switchboard operator at Hinds County Detention Center. He was seen sketching at his desk by the then sheriff Malcolm McMillin who noticed Anderson’s talent and gave him a watercolor set to “try” something new. Anderson later received a book from a friend by Mississippi artist Wyatt Waters. He loved Water’s unique style and began taking his art classes. Falling in love with scenes of the South as a child, Anderson, translated those scenes with watercolor hues and a brush. He now travels throughout the south with a vagabond approach to each painting.
“My paintings are vibrant but not exact,” said Anderson. “I gather information from field painting, capturing the colors of my chosen subject. I often use a camera, then combine my emotional responses to life. All of my artwork is dedicated to my mother, Sandra Teresa Gautier Anderson.”
Mississippi Historical Society 2022 Annual Meeting
Hattiesburg hosted the Mississippi Historical Society Annual Meeting on March 10-11, 2022. Members spent the final day of the meeting at the Eureka School attending sessions on Commemorating and Preserving Local African American History and Mississippi Change Agents.
A Cast of Blues Exhibition
A Cast of Blues exhibition opened Saturday, September 11 and ran through October 9, 2021, at the Historic Eureka School in Downtown Hattiesburg. The exhibition is a celebration of Mississippi’s rich musical heritage and featured 15 resin-cast masks of blues legends created by artist Sharon McConnell-Dickerson. “A life cast is like a 3D photograph to someone who is blind,” says McConnell-Dickerson, who is visually impaired herself. “It captures the flesh, muscle, bone, hair, and subtle expressions of emotion. I wanted to discover the faces behind the music I love, so I went to Mississippi to map out the visages of the real Delta blues men and women.”
The exhibition also included 15 color photographs of blues artists and the colorful juke joints in which they played. The images are selected from acclaimed photographer Ken Murphy’s ground-breaking book, Mississippi: State of Blues. Murphy, a longtime resident of Bay St. Louis, MS, captures the essence of the blues through highly detailed, panoramic color pictures. The compilation of casts and photos creates a compelling portrait of the men and women who defined—and continue to shape—the tradition of Mississippi blues.
