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Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College

Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College

Davidson, NORTH CAROLINA

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  • Artist: William R. Ferris (American, b. 1942)

Ferris is an American author and scholar born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Ferris' work focused on southern African American folklore and culture. He earned his BA in English Literature from Davidson College in 1964, his MA in English Literature from Northwestern University in 1965, and a PhD in Folklore from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969. He was selected by President Bill Clinton to be the Chair of the National Endowment of the Humanities, a position which he held from 1997 to 2001. Ferris has written fiction, poetry, as well as book, record, and film reviews. He has recorded blues albums and produced 15 documentary films on southern folklore.
Reverend Isaac Thomas, Rose Hill by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Reverend Isaac Thomas, Rose Hill, 1968
Gelatin silver print
17 x 11 in
(43.18 x 27.94 cm)
Jim Steed, Route 1, Box 18A, Utrea, Mississippi, 1974 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Jim Steed, Route 1, Box 18A, Utrea, Mississippi..., 1974
Chromogenic print
16.125 x 24 in
(40.96 x 60.96 cm)
Pecolia Warner with her "P" quilt, Yazco City, Mississippi, 1975 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Pecolia Warner with her "P" quilt, Yazco City, ..., 1975
Chromogenic print
24 x 16.125 in
(60.96 x 40.96 cm)
Unidentified fireworks salesman, Leland, Mississippi, circa 1976 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Unidentified fireworks salesman, Leland, Missis..., c. 1976
Chromogenic print
16.125 x 24 in
(40.96 x 60.96 cm)
Unidentified Street Actress, Kent's Alley, Leland, Mississippi, 1974 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Unidentified Street Actress, Kent's Alley, Lela..., 1974
Chromogenic print
16.125 x 24 in
(40.96 x 60.96 cm)
Robert Penn Warren, Fairfield, Conn. by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Robert Penn Warren, Fairfield, Conn., 1978
Gelatin silver print
9 x 13.5 in
(22.86 x 34.29 cm)
Country store, Old Port Cubson Road, Mississippi, 1976 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Country store, Old Port Cubson Road, Mississipp..., 1976
Chromogenic print
15.125 x 23.25 in
(38.42 x 59.06 cm)
Reverend Isaac Thomas, Rose Hill Church, Fisher Ferry Road, Warren County, Mississippi, 1975 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Reverend Isaac Thomas, Rose Hill Church, Fisher..., 1975
Chromogenic print
16.25 x 24 in
(41.28 x 60.96 cm)
Othar Turner, Gravel Springs by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Othar Turner, Gravel Springs, 1970
Gelatin silver print
17 x 11 in
(43.18 x 27.94 cm)
Shelby Fitzpatrick, Hester Magnunson, Martha Ferris, King, and Queenie, 11186 Fisher Ferry Road, ... by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Shelby Fitzpatrick, Hester Magnunson, Martha Fe..., 1963
Chromogenic print
16.25 x 24 in
(41.28 x 60.96 cm)
"Vernalia," Reganton, Mississippi, 1979 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • "Vernalia," Reganton, Mississippi, 1979, 1979
Chromogenic print
S.M. White & Son Crossroads Store, Old Port Gibson Road, Reganton, Mississippi, 1974 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • S.M. White & Son Crossroads Store, Old Port Gib..., 1974
Chromogenic print
16.125 x 24 in
(40.96 x 60.96 cm)
Jasper Love, Clarksdale by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Jasper Love, Clarksdale, 1968
Gelatin silver print
17 x 11 in
(43.18 x 27.94 cm)
Reverend Isaac Thomas, Rose Hill Church by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Reverend Isaac Thomas, Rose Hill Church, 1975
Gelatin silver print
17 x 11 in
(43.18 x 27.94 cm)
C. Vann Woodward, New Haven, Conn. by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • C. Vann Woodward, New Haven, Conn., 1979
Gelatin silver print
13.5 x 9 in
(34.29 x 22.86 cm)
Bobby Rush, Oxford, Miss. by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Bobby Rush, Oxford, Miss., 1987
Gelatin silver print
9 x 13.5 in
(22.86 x 34.29 cm)
Amanda Gordon, Rose Hill Church, Fisher Ferry Road, Warren County, Mississippi, 1975 by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Amanda Gordon, Rose Hill Church, Fisher Ferry R..., 1975
Chromogenic print
24 x 16.125 in
(60.96 x 40.96 cm)
Gussie Tobe, Leland by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Gussie Tobe, Leland, 1968
Gelatin silver print
17 x 11 in
(43.18 x 27.94 cm)
John Dollard, New Haven, Conn. by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • John Dollard, New Haven, Conn., 1975
Gelatin silver print
9 x 13.5 in
(22.86 x 34.29 cm)
Johnny Brown and Shelby "Poppa Jazz" Brown, Leland by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Johnny Brown and Shelby "Poppa Jazz" Brown, Leland, 1968
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Fannie Bell Chapman, Centreville by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Fannie Bell Chapman, Centreville, 1972
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Fannie Bell Chapman, Centreville by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Fannie Bell Chapman, Centreville, 1972
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Scott Dunbar, Lake Mary by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Scott Dunbar, Lake Mary, 1968
Gelatin silver print
17 x 11 in
(43.18 x 27.94 cm)
Othar Turner, Gravel Springs by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Othar Turner, Gravel Springs, 1976
Gelatin silver print
17 x 11 in
(43.18 x 27.94 cm)
Pete Seeger, San Francisco, Calif. by William R. Ferris, Image 1.
  • William R. Ferris
  • Pete Seeger, San Francisco, Calif., 1990
Gelatin silver print
9 x 13.5 in
(22.86 x 34.29 cm)
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