Arts Revive presents Patricia Gaines - Preacher’s Daughter

Arts Revive presents Preacher’s Daughter, a show featuring the work of artist Patricia Gaines at the Arts Revive Gallery from Feb. 29-March 10.

The show will open Feb. 29 at 6 p.m., although the gallery will be closed on March 1 and 2 during the Jubilee.

The show was inspired by an interview with the late Margaret Jemison for a film she was producing about the experiences and memories of people growing up in Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement.

Patricia shared a memory of her time in Selma. She is the daughter of a Methodist Preacher who served in Selma from the late 1950’s through the early 1960’s. She finished high school in Selma and went on to graduate from Birmingham-Southern College. These years were a time of upheaval and change in our Country as the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum. Selma, Alabama was a nexus of this conflict and struggle.

After her father took a stand against the racist policies in the Church he was leading, Patricia and her family experienced intimidation and hate filled retribution. A visit from the men of the Citizens Council convinced her parents that they had to leave Selma.

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They packed up what they could and drove out in the middle of the night. Patricia remembers vividly her mother’s anxiety and fear each time a car was approaching them from behind. They made it to Mobile and did not return to Selma again. The trauma and hurt of that experience left deep wounds. Patricia has carried this all of these years. Art has been Patricia’s joy and salvation.

After the interview it was suggested that she come back to Selma all these many years later. Although it stirs up deep emotions for her she decided to take this healing journey. Patricia brings her gifts of art and beauty to share with the people of Selma.

In addition Patricia sat down for a conversation with two other Methodist “Preacher’s kids”. John Archibald and Phillip Howard. John’s father served in the North Alabama District. A two time Pulitzer Prize winner, he is a journalist with AL.com. Phillip’s father served in the Black Belt of Alabama.

He is currently managing the Conservation Fund, Forgotten People and Places of the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. The discussion was moderated by Reggie Holder, Director of Ministries at Highlands United Methodist Church in Birmingham. They discussed the role of the Church and their father’s actions during the Civil Rights Movement. The video of their conversation can be viewed at Arts Revive during the run of the show.