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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.

Inmate on water break, Parchman Penitentiary, Camp B, Laubert, Mississippi, 1974 by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Inmate on water break, Parchman Penitentiary, C..., 1974
Chromogenic print
14 x 16.125 in
(35.56 x 40.96 cm)
Willie Dixon, Yale University by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Willie Dixon, Yale University, 1976
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Pete Seeger, San Francisco, Calif. by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Pete Seeger, San Francisco, Calif., 1990
Gelatin silver print
9 x 13.5 in
(22.86 x 34.29 cm)
Lucindy McGriggs, Mary Gordon, John Henry Wright, Diane Wright Smith, Beatrice Wright McGowan, ... Rose Hill Church, Fisher Ferry Road, Warren County by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Lucindy McGriggs, Mary Gordon, John Henry Wrigh..., 1975
Chromogenic print
16.25 x 24 in
(41.28 x 60.96 cm)
Louis Dotson, Lorman by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Louis Dotson, Lorman, 1968
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Robert Appleton, Fisher Ferry Road, Warren County, Mississippi, 1963 by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Robert Appleton, Fisher Ferry Road, Warren Coun..., 1963
Chromogenic print
24 x 16.25 in
(60.96 x 41.28 cm)
James Bottom, Ross Road, Warren County, Mississippi, 1975 by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • James Bottom, Ross Road, Warren County, Mississ..., 1975
Chromogenic print
16.125 x 24 in
(40.96 x 60.96 cm)
Mary Gordon, Rose Hill by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Mary Gordon, Rose Hill, 1978
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Scott Dunbar, Lake Mary by William R. Ferris
  • 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
  • William R. Ferris
  • Othar Turner, Gravel Springs, 1970
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Margaret Walker, New Haven, Conn. by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Margaret Walker, New Haven, Conn., 1978
Gelatin silver print
9 x 13.5 in
(22.86 x 34.29 cm)
Painted door sign, Indianola, Mississippi, 1974 by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Painted door sign, Indianola, Mississippi, 1974, 1974
Chromogenic print
24 x 16.125 in
(60.96 x 40.96 cm)
Johnny Brown and Shelby "Poppa Jazz" Brown, Leland by William R. Ferris
  • 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
  • William R. Ferris
  • Fannie Bell Chapman, Centreville, 1972
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
B.B. King, Lucifer's Club, Boston by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • B.B. King, Lucifer's Club, Boston, 1976
Gelatin silver print
9 x 13 in
(22.86 x 33.02 cm)
Walker Evans, East Lyme, Conn. by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Walker Evans, East Lyme, Conn., 1974
Gelatin silver print
13.5 x 9 in
(34.29 x 22.86 cm)
Robert Penn Warren, Fairfield, Conn. by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Robert Penn Warren, Fairfield, Conn., 1978
Gelatin silver print
9 x 13.5 in
(22.86 x 34.29 cm)
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Dumas, Tutwiler by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Mr. and Mrs. Tom Dumas, Tutwiler, 1968
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Fannie Bell Chapman, Centreville by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Fannie Bell Chapman, Centreville, 1972
Gelatin silver print
11 x 17 in
(27.94 x 43.18 cm)
Shelby Ferris, 11186 Fisher Ferry Road, Ferris home, Warren County, Mississippi, 1975 by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Shelby Ferris, 11186 Fisher Ferry Road, Ferris ..., 1975
Chromogenic print
16.125 x 24 in
(40.96 x 60.96 cm)
Mary Gordon, Rose Hill by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Mary Gordon, Rose Hill, 1978
Gelatin silver print
17 x 11 in
(43.18 x 27.94 cm)
C. Vann Woodward, New Haven, Conn. by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • C. Vann Woodward, New Haven, Conn., 1979
Gelatin silver print
13.5 x 9 in
(34.29 x 22.86 cm)
Unidentified fireworks salesman, Leland, Mississippi, circa 1976 by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Unidentified fireworks salesman, Leland, Missis..., 1976
Chromogenic print
16.125 x 24 in
(40.96 x 60.96 cm)
William Ferris Sr., hay field, Fisher Ferry Road, Warren County, Mississippi, 1963 by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • William Ferris Sr., hay field, Fisher Ferry Roa..., 1963
Chromogenic print
24 x 16.125 in
(60.96 x 40.96 cm)
Hubert Hamblett portrait by Theora Hamblett, Oxford, Mississippi, August, 1975 by William R. Ferris
  • William R. Ferris
  • Hubert Hamblett portrait by Theora Hamblett, Ox..., 1975
Color photography
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