KASU to Host Photo Exhibit on History of Civil Rights Trail in South
JONESBORO – KASU 91.9 FM, the public media service of Arkansas State University, is presenting “We Shall Overcome,” a photo exhibit honoring the history of the Civil Rights Trail sites through the lens of renowned photographer Art Meripol.
The opening of the exhibit will be from 6 until 8 p.m., Friday, June 13, in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building lobby and atrium, located at 2401 Aggie Rd.
Included are photos of Central High School and Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., and many other heritage locations.
Meripol originally took these photos for the National American Advertising award-winning book, “The Official United States Civil Right Trail: What Happened Here Changed the World,” commissioned by Lee Sentell.
“KASU is pleased to be able to bring these important historic photographs to the community,” said Mark Smith, KASU station manager. “Art’s work is unparalleled, and the audience will find themselves immersed in important history and stellar craftsmanship.”
A University of Arkansas journalism graduate, Meripol worked as a news photographer for 13 years after graduation at what was then the Arkansas Gazette. He then joined the staff of Southern Living magazine as the senior travel photographer.
After almost 25 years traveling and photographing the best of the South, he left that position and is now a Birmingham-based freelance photographer.
Meripol’s clients include regional and national magazines, as well as advertising agencies and corporate clients. He also has an extensive portfolio of rock and roll photography, which were displayed at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock in 2024.
This event is being held in conjunction with the KLEK-FM Juneteenth Celebration in Jonesboro and is free and open to the public.
KASU has also partnered with the A-State Office of the Provost, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, A-State College of Liberal Arts and Communication, and Arisa Health to bring 25 photos of these important sites to the public.
KASU is a 100,000-watt FM radio station, housed on the campus of Arkansas State University and is the public media service of the university. KASU is Arkansas’ oldest non-commercial public radio station, operating since 1957. The station has been an NPR member station since 1971. In addition to locally produced news and music programs, KASU pays to receive programming from NPR, American Public Media, and other sources.
This event is free to attend. One may contact LaDawn Fuhr, lfuhr@AState.edu, for details about this event.
