THE SUGAR SHACK
2021
30” x 24” x 23”
Mixed Media

While on the train to Manhattan one day, I was reading the book ‘Carry It On, The War On Poverty And The Civil Rights Movement in Alabama 1964-1972’ by Susan Youngblood Ashmore. In it, On page 196, I noticed a particular photograph and could not quit staring at it. Located in Lower Peachtree in Wilcox, County, Alabama, it was one of the most powerful photographs I had ever seen.

I found more of the story on an original 5/3/66 United Press International Press Photo which stated: “Negro residents of Wilcox County in the heart of the Alabama’s Black Belt, line up at a rural store called The Sugar Shack. Rural Wilcox had not a single registered Negro voter prior to the passage of a federal voting rights law last summer. Now Negro voters outnumber whites by almost 2-1.”

Being a Civil Rights activist, artist and visual historian, seeing these people dress up in their Sunday best and stand in line for the very first time to exercise their right to vote really moved me. Being a child of the South and a lover of old buildings and architecture, the image of the rural Mercantile Store moved me as well. I could almost hear the creaking of the old wooden boards welcoming the voters as they made their way up the steps to the ballot box. It was inspiring. So much so, I even contacted the Wilcox, County Historical Society in Alabama to see if any of the building happened to be still standing or if there was a historical marker of any kind. Unfortunately, I was told no. I hope that changes.

I was driven to create a replica of the building of that special moment from the old photograph and I am pleased on how it turned out. In fact, it’s one of my favorite pieces.

Vote.

Wood, glue, glass, steel, plexiglass, string