Virtual Film Screening and Q&A of Black in Appalachia’s “Beauford Delaney: Appalachian Artist”

The McKinney Center to host Virtual Film Screening and Q&A of Black in Appalachia’s “Beauford Delaney: Appalachian Artist”

The McKinney Center is proud to partner with Black in Appalachia to present Beauford Delany: Appalachian Artist, a free Virtual Film Screening Wednesday, September 23, at 7 p.m. Immediately following the screening will be a Q&A with director William Isom, II.

This addition to Jonesborough’s Annual Juried Art Exhibition draws attention to Delaney, a famous African American artist from East Tennessee, whose body of work exemplifies the theme of this year’s exhibition of “Community, Change, & Connection.”

Beauford Delaney was born in 1901 and contributed to the canon of unique artwork during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s and 1940s. Delaney became one of the world’s most influential abstract expressionists. This documentary of the artist explores his life in Tennessee, Paris, and Harlem, and how these experiences informed his artistry. The film also details Delaney’s struggles with poverty, paranoia, sexual conflicts, and even voices in his head, while still being driven to create great art.

This film is directed by Black in Appalachia’s director William Isom, II, who will be online to answer questions following the film. William Isom is an East Tennessee native. Isom coordinates the project’s research, community data base development, documentary film and photography production, oral history collection and educational events with residents.

The McKinney Center is honored to partner with Black in Appalachia as they work to highlight the history of African-Americans in the development of our region and its culture. Through research, local narratives, public engagement and exhibition, this project aims to raise the visibility and contributions of the Black communities of the Mountain South.

To register to attend this virtual event, visit https://mckinneycenter.com/ and click “Register” in the upper right-hand corner of the page. This project is a community service for Appalachian residents and families with roots in the region. Find out more at https://www.blackinappalachia.org/.

The Juried Art Show Exhibition will be open to the public by appointment from Saturday, September 19 through October 10, 2020.  You are encouraged to call the McKinney Center to schedule your private viewing of the show for groups of no more than ten people. Call 423.753.0562 to book your 30-minute appointment to see the show.