Center for the Study of the American South

News

Mark's Passage - Jeff Whetstone

Jeff Whetstone, Featured Artist in the Center's Gallery, February 1 through March 31, 2010

Artist's Reception at the Love House and Hutchins Forum, March 18th from 5 to 7 pm. Open to the Public.

Jeff Whetstone was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and has been photographing and writing about the relationship between man and nature since he received a Zoology degree from Duke University in 1990. Whetstone served for five years as an artist-in residence at Appalshop, Inc., a media arts center located in coalfields of eastern Kentucky. While working at Appalshop, Whetstone was the project director for the Before the Flood exhibition that premiered at the National Folk Festival. His photographs and writing have been featured in Southern Changes, DoubleTake, Southern Exposure, Daylight Magazine and elsewhere.  The gallery is open to the public during normal business hours.

The Centers Welcomes New Associate Director

The Center for the Study of the American South, is pleased to welcome Sally Greene as its new associate director.  A 1996 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a Ph.D. in English, she holds a J.D. from the George Washington University.  Dr. Greene brings to the position a background in teaching and scholarship on a variety of southern topics, from the legal career of Thomas Ruffin to the novels of Elizabeth Spencer to the law and rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement.  A member of the Chapel Hill Town Council since 2003, she combines deep roots in the university community with a broad range of experience in the public arena.

“We are very happy that Sally has joined us.  She brings a great background in southern history and literature as well as broad administrative skills,” said Harry Watson, the Center’s director.   Dr. Greene will be expanding the Center’s cross-disciplinary projects across the University’s campus and pursuing new partnership efforts.

William Christenberry coming to UNC

The Center for the Study of the American South is honored to co-sponsor a visit to UNC's campus by William Christenberry on March 24, 2010 at 5:30 pm at the Fed-Ex Global Education Center.  Mr. Christenberry will be giving a free public lecture entitled, "Southern Photographs". Limited parking available in the Global Education Center's parking garage.

Music on the Porch

Music on the Porch, our popular music performance series, is back!  Join us on the Center's lawn March 25 from 5 to 7 pm as we explore southern music shaken and stirred. The March 25 event features Hindugrass and Phil Cook from Megafaun.  Hindugrass blends music from Hindustani classical and bluegrass and comes up with a mix that is unique but still familiar.  Phil Cook, from the indie-rock trio Megafaun, takes traditional instruments and uses them in new ways.  Come listen to innovative performers and their take on tradition.  Our next Musica on the Porch is April 15th, watch this space for details! The Center for the Study of the American South Lawn, 410 East Franklin St.,  5 to 7 pm.  Free and open to the public.

Hutchins Lecture Series

On March 16, the Hutchins Lecture Series presents UNC Professor Alfred Brophy. Dr. Brophy will speak on, “History, Law, and Civilization in Antebellum Literary Addresses at the University of North Carolina."  Dr. Brophy’s lecture returns to the literary addresses given by students, faculty, alumni, and outsiders at the University of North Carolina in the years leading into Civil War.  It aims to recover something of the intellectual culture based on the addresses, particularly as they emphasized the importance of history, moral philosophy, technology, and economy.  The Hutchins Lecture Series are held at the UNC George Watts Hill Alumni Center in the Royall Room.  Lectures begin at 4 pm and are free and open to the public.

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The Center for the Study of the American South extends the historic role of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the world’s premier institution for research, teaching, and public dialogue on the history, culture, and contemporary experience of the southern United States.  The Center promotes initiatives in the University's tradition of regional service and scholarship.