Southbound: Photographs of and about the New South

A partnership between The MAX and MMA brings the community together with an exhibition that celebrates the New South through photography, video, and literature.

June 12- September 6, 2020

Southbound: Photographs of and about the New South presents 56 photographers’ visions of the South over the first two decades of the 21st century. "Each photographer presents us with a personal take on the South, one that challenges us to rethink how we see the region," said William Ferris, professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In addition to its 220 photographs, the exhibition features a commissioned documentary film by John David Reynolds, interactive digital maps created by Rick Bunch at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, an extensive website (southboundproject.org), and an exhibition catalog including images by all exhibiting artists and essays offering a range of perspectives about the South. The maps, collectively titled “Index of Southerness,” show geographical clusters within the United States of such regional characteristics as the locations of businesses, churches, populations, and more.

The exhibition focuses on both the positive and less flattering aspects of life in the South. Art critic, editor and author Eleanor Heartney, a contributing editor for Art in America, said, "Revealed here is the dark side of the human soul, but also flashes of hope and happiness bursting through in musical celebrations, joyful communal rituals and dusky skies darkened with flocks.”

Visitors can view Southbound at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) and at the Meridian Museum of Art. Street parking is available at both museums, with shops and restaurants within walking distance.

Place Magazine

Check out our Spring edition of Place magazine, and read an insightful article about Southbound (page 2) by our Curator of Exhibitions, Stacey Wilson.

Southbound Map

View the interactive map Southbound’s Index of Southerness 

The MAX
2155 Front Street, Meridian, MS 39301
Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
Free to members, or with regular museum admission

The Meridian Museum of Art
628 25th Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301
Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Free to the public.

Participating Artists
Mississippi Artists: Langdon Clay, Maude Schuyler Clay, Will H. Jacks, Kathleen Robbins, Euphus Ruth

  • Shelby Lee Adams
  • Rob Amberg
  • Daniel Beltrá
  • Rachel Boillot
  • Sheila Pree Bright
  • Lucinda Bunnen
  • Keith Calhoun and Chandra McCormick
  • Langdon Clay
  • Maude Schuyler Clay
  • Thomas Daniel
  • Eliot Dudik
  • Matt Eich
  • Lisa Elmaleh
  • Mitch Epstein
  • McNair Evans
  • Lucas Foglia
  • Kyle Ford
  • Preston Gannaway
  • Alex Harris
  • John Lusk Hathaway
  • Titus Brooks Heagins
  • Lauren Henkin
  • Tim Hursley
  • Jessica Ingram
  • Will H. Jacks
  • Daniel Kariko
  • Tommy Kha
  • Kevin Kline
  • Stacy Kranitz
  • Gillian Laub
  • Deborah Luster
  • Tammy Mercure
  • Jeanine Michna-Bales
  • Greg Miller
  • Susana Raab
  • Thomas Rankin
  • Tamara Reynolds
  • Jeff Rich
  • Eugene Richards
  • Kathleen Robbins
  • Euphus Ruth
  • Anderson Scott
  • Jerry Siegel
  • David Simonton
  • Chris Sims
  • Mike Smith
  • Magdalena Solé
  • Bill Steber
  • Mark Steinmetz
  • Brandon Thibodeaux
  • Burk Uzzle
  • Sofia Valiente
  • Michelle Van Parys
  • Jeffrey Whetstone
  • Susan Worsham

Exhibition Programming

Bill Steber:  Illustrated Talk + Performance
Friday, July 10  |  5:30–7pm  |  The MAX

Maude Schuyler Clay + Langdon Clay:  Illustrated Talk + Gallery Tour
Friday, July 17  |  5:30–7pm  |  The MAX
Saturday, July 18  |  11am–12:30pm  |  Meridian Museum of Art

Euphus Ruth:  Demonstration + Illustrated Talk
Saturday, July 25  |  10am–1pm  |  Meridian Museum of Art
Saturday, July 25  |  5:30–7pm  |  The MAX

Scott Barretta:  Talk + Performance
Saturday, August 1  |  Talk 10am–Noon
Performance 1:30–2:30pm  |  The MAX

Will Jacks:  Illustrated Talk
Saturday, August 8  |  4–5:30 pm  |  The MAX

Stacey Wilson:  Illustrated Talk + Gallery Tour
Saturday, August 15  |  4–5:30pm  |  The MAX

Titus Brooks Heagins:  Illustrated Talk
Saturday, August 22  |  4–5:30pm  |  The MAX

Tony Lewis: Illustrated Talk
Date + Time TBA  |  The MAX

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