Southern Breeze 2007 Fall Issue

travel ART OF LIVING Colors of Hope H.C. Porter’s powerful exhibition proves there is healing in the telling— and in being heard. story by MARLO KIRKPATRICK A H.C. Porter is shown here working on a piece from the exhibition (above), choosing pieces for the exhibition from inside her Vicksburg gallery, (center), and amid the rubble in Bay St. Louis (opposite). For information on purchasing a piece from the exhibition or supporting the “Backyards and Beyond” project, visit www.hcporter.com. rtist H.C. Porter has been capturing Mississippi’s landmarks and people for more than 20 years, showcasing an inimitable style that’s earned the enthusiasm of collectors nationwide. Now, H.C. finds herself in the midst of the most challenging and rewarding project of her career— documenting all that was lost, and the hope that remains in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. “Backyards and Beyond: Mississippians and their Stories,” H.C.’s ambitious exhibition-in-progress, will combine painted portraits, photographs, and live field recordings in a moving exhibition celebrating the strength and resiliency of Mississippians who are triumphing over the life-altering devastation of the greatest natural disaster in American history. “I’ve always painted Mississippi scenes feeling each image was historical in its own right, from a woman shelling peas on her front porch to a child shooting baskets on a dirt court,” H.C. says. “Now, facing the aftermath of a monumental historic disaster, these images preserve a time and place in a way that will never fade away. I hope that underscoring to the survivors that this event will be remembered will continue to bring emotional healing to the Coast.” A native of Jackson, H.C. works out of the H.C. Porter Gallery/Creative Spirit Studio in Vicksburg. Her work is a combination of photography, silk-screening, and painting. She begins by capturing a black and white photograph, which is transferred onto paper using a silkscreen. She then infuses the piece with bright colors using acrylic paint and colored pencils. What begins as a monochromatic image of everyday life is transformed into a vibrant explosion of color. Driven by a desire to use her art to narrate the devastation and rebuilding of her home state, H.C. traveled to the Gulf Coast just days after Katrina made landfall. She was stunned by what she saw through the lens. H.C.’s business partner, Karole Sessums, brought along a tape recorder in order to document the stories of the people H.C. photographed. As the emotion poured from the people’s voices, H.C. and Karole realized that the recordings were an integral part of the story. They decided to include them in the exhibition, allowing the subject of each portrait to tell his or her story directly to the viewer, in his or her own words. 22 s o u t h e r n b re e z e . c o m http://www.hcporter.com http://southernbreeze.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Southern Breeze 2007 Fall Issue

Editor's Letter Contributor Gumbo Words & Notes Accessories Coastal Calendar Storefronts: French Flair in Fairhope Sweet Dreams: Smooth Sailing Art of Living: The Colors of Hope Fixtures: Shake It Up! Live Here: Filled to the Brim Our Backyard: Just Add Water Make Yourself at Home: Open Invitation Pierless Pleasures Always Biloxi Spirited Away Reef Madness Louisiana Love Cheers: Fall Freeze Dish: Java Servers Reader Services Chef's Table: The Kid Inside Let's Eat: Cornbread, Catheads, and Calas Last Bite

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