University of Mississippi Group Seeks Artwork for Proposed Civil Rights Memorial. Permanent monument would be first of its kind in state

UNIVERSITY, Miss. The University of Mississippi's (UM) Civil Rights Commemoration Initiative a group of UM students, former students, faculty and staff has begun a national search for an artist to create a permanent civil rights memorial on the UM-Oxford campus.

Ads have been placed in national magazines and newspapers seeking submissions for a permanent statue or other artwork to commemorate the civil rights struggle in Mississippi, said John T. Edge, initiative member and staff member of UM's Center for the Study of Southern Culture.

"The artwork will highlight both the conflicts and achievements that characterize the state's unique heritage," Edge said. "It will recognize the centrality of Mississippi's role in the national struggle for human rights, with particular attention to the issue of equal access to educational opportunity."

For the initiative members, the creation of the memorial is an idea that is overdue, especially since there is no permanent civil rights monument in Mississippi, Edge said.

"Civil rights history and black history are such a pivotal part of Mississippi, and they should be honored on the Oxford campus because it is the state's flagship institution," said Markeeva Morgan of Coldwater, student initiative member and former vice president of UM's Black Student Union.

Chancellor Robert Khayat agreed. "Much of the history of the United States has been played out on The University of Mississippi campus," he said. "During the latter half of the 20th century, the civil rights movement was at the center of the national discussion of important social, political, cultural and economic issues. The unique history of Ole Miss, with respect to the civil rights initiatives in higher education, makes it most appropriate for permanent recognition of those activities.

"Just as the Confederate soldier monument recognizes the role of the university in the history of the Civil War, this civil rights memorial will recognize the role of the university in that important chapter of the nation's history," Khayat said.

The idea for a civil rights memorial actually began more than five years ago in a graduate Southern folklore class. Students decided that the campus needed a symbol that reflected positive effects of the civil rights movement and the struggle for equal access to education. The initiative was formed, then worked with UM administrators, who committed space for the project and gave fund-raising advice.

The deadline for art submissions is Aug. 10. A five-member panel of visual arts professionals, knowledgeable in contemporary and public art, then will select five finalists, who will travel to Oxford to present models of their work. A winner is to be announced in December. Upon its completion, the artwork is to be donated to the university by the initiative.

The proposed completion date for the memorial, which will be located on the plaza between the Lyceum and the John D. Williams Library, is September 2002 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of integration on the UM-Oxford campus.

During the submissions process, initiative members plan to launch a new fund-raising effort involving UM students, faculty and staff. So far, the group has raised $125,000, including a recent $75,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's African-American Heritage Grant program. The proposed budget for the project is $150,000.

"This is the culmination of five years of effort by a dedicated band of students, faculty and staff," Edge said. "We are humbled by the support we have received and take great pride that the installation of the artwork will take place in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the university's integration."

For information about the art contest or fund-raising campaign, contact Vanessa Bliss at (662) 915-5993.
Email queries to: memorial@olemiss.edu.
Web site at www.olemiss.edu/depts/south/memorial.

John T Edge
Director, Southern Foodways Alliance
Center for the Study of Southern Culture
University of Mississippi
University, MS 38677
662-915-5993 (phone) 662-915-5814 (fax)
www.southernfoodways.com

Susan M. Glisson, Ph.D.
Interim Director, Institute for Racial Reconciliation
Assistant Director, Center for the Study of Southern Culture
Assistant Professor, Southern Studies
Barnard Observatory
University of Mississippi
POB 1848
University, MS 38677
662-915-6727
662-915-6728 (f)
www.olemiss.edu/depts/south

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