Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Closing ceremonies were held at USC Salkehatchie on Oct. 21 for the Smithsonian traveling exhibit “Voices & Votes”. Visiting the exhibit one more time before it was dismantled are (left to right) Dr. Sarah Miller of USC Salkehatchie, co-chairs Anne Rice (SouthernCarolina Alliance) and Lottie Lewis (Allendale Rural Arts Team) and Jackson Alexander of USC Salkehatchie’s Leadership Institute.
Aiden Isham (center), a 6th grade student in Allendale County Schools, is presented his prizes for his winning essay in his age group from Sarah Miller of USC Salkehatchie (left) and Lottie Lewis of the Allendale Rural Arts Team.
Zoe Bunch (center) is a 3rd grade student in Allendale County who wrote the winning essay in her age group after visiting the Voices & Votes exhibit at USC Salkehatchie. Bunch was presented her prizes from Lottie Lewis of the Allendale Rural Arts Team and Sarah Miller of USC Salk.
Trinity Mickell, an 11th grade student at Allendale-Fairfax High School, wrote the winning essay in the Voices & Votes contest. She was presented her prizes from Lottie Lewis of the Allendale Rural Arts Team and Sarah Miller of USC Salkehatchie.
Gloria P. Wright (right) won the Front Porch Decorating Contest hosted during the SC Humanities Festival and the Voices & Votes traveling exhibit. Wright was presented her prize by event co-chair Lottie Lewis.
The porch of Gloria P. Wright was selected as winning entry in the Front Porch Decorating Contest.
USC-Salkehatchie reports that its six-week showing of the Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” was a resounding success.
USC Salkehatchie was expressly chosen by South Carolina Humanities to host the exhibition as part of the Museum on Main Street project—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. The Allendale Rural Arts Team, SouthernCarolina Alliance and USC-Salkehatchie worked together to bring the exhibit to Allendale as well as host the S.C. Humanities Festival.
Through a selection of photographs, objects, film, audio and interactives, “Voices and Votes” takes a broad look at the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people.” From the revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story—the story of democracy in America. Exhibition sections explore the origins of American democracy, the struggles to obtain and keep the vote, the machinery of democracy, the right to petition and protest beyond the ballot and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
“We’re thrilled with the community’s reaction to ‘Voices and Votes,” said event co-chair Lottie Lewis. “By hosting a Smithsonian exhibition at our institution, we were able to increase our attendance numbers and garner more exposure for Allendale County.”
Anne Rice, event co-chair, said, “By working with South Carolina Humanities, local cultural organizations and businesses we were able to offer a wide variety of educational programs for the entire community. We hope to build on these experiences in future program plans.”
During closing ceremonies held on October 21 in the Atrium of USC Salkehatchie, three Allendale County students and one resident were recognized.
Third grader Zoe Bunch, sixth grader Aiden Isham and 11th grader Trinity Mickell were presented first place awards for essays they had written on the exhibit and Democracy. Each of the students read their essays to the group assembled for the event.
Gloria P. Wright of Barnwell (a native of Allendale County) was presented with a $100 prize as part of a Front Porch Decorating Contest.
Lewis and Rice also thanked USC Salkehatchie, Dominion Energy, SC Humanities, the Allendale County Historical Society, Allendale County Library, and the many volunteers and supporters who made the events possible.
“Voices and Votes” is now on view at Claflin University in Orangeburg from Oct. 29 until Dec. 10.
The entire tour schedule can be found at: SITES Tour Schedule
“Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. To learn more visit museumonmainstreet.org, sites.si.edu, or South Carolina Humanities / Inspiring. Engaging. Enriching. (schumanities.org).
Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
