Smithsonian exhibition to premier in Vienna

June 24, 2008 07:52 pm

— From STAFF REPORTS

VIENNA — “You’ll never think about food the same way again,” according to an advance press release concerning the Smithsonian exhibition, “Key Ingredients: America By Food.”
The traveling exhibition will debut in Vienna on Friday, June 27.
Vienna’s Historic Preservation Society, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and the Georgia Humanities Council will host the local showing of the exhibition.
Key ingredients delves into the historical, regional and social traditions that merge in everyday meals and celebrations of the American table. The exhibition will be on display at the Southwest Georgia Business Development Center beginning June 28 and continuing through August 9.
“Key Ingredients” is part of Museum on Main Street (MOMS), a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and The Hearst Foundation. MOMS is a national/state partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations.
Vienna not only was selected as one of twelve rural communities in the state of Georgia to host the traveling exhibition, but has the honor of being the first community to introduce the exhibition to the state.
“We are very pleased to be able to bring ‘Key Ingredients’ to our area,” says Janet Joiner, community development director for the City of Vienna. “ We hope that it will inspire many to become even more involved in the cultural life of their community.”
Curated by Charles Camp, “Key Ingredients: America by Food” explores the connections between Americans and their food traditions with an interactive collection of artifacts, photographs and illustrations. The food on the American table may not define exactly what the nation is, but the traditions surrounding American foods speak volumes about who the people are.
“A broad array of programs and local exhibits are being planned to supplement the ‘Key Ingredients’ exhibition adding local flavor by examining the food traditions and festivals of our own community and how these things help define who we are,” said Diane Couch, VHPS president. “Local exhibitors are still signing on, but here is a sampling of what we will have,” she said.
Food festivals in the area that will be featured include Vienna’s BIG PIG JIG State Barbeque Championship Cook-off, Cordele’s Watermelon Days Festival, and Warwick’s National Grits Festival.
Vienna native and contemporary artist, Jim Burton will have one of his paintings on display. “My work is most definitely about this struggle between my longing for this simple Southern life, the internal moral conflicts I feel with regard to certain aspects of the culture, and a sort of loving ‘poking of fun’ at the way I grew up,” Burton says.
In addition, a local youth group will demonstrate what they have learned about Georgia products from their visits to Jimmy Carter’s boyhood farm in Archery. Historic Westville in Lumpkin will have a display featuring popular foods & recipes from the 1800s.
One local food business, Stripling’s Sausage Kitchen, will also have a display. Stripling’s was named a finalist in the recent Georgia Family Business of the Year competition in the Small Category (fewer than 50 employees).
“Our sausage is a unique, original product on which we have built a successful business,” said company spokeswoman Ashley Goss. “It is the backbone of Stripling’s operations.
“Our hot hog country sausage was formulated around or before 1964. The recipe for the sausage has not changed in over 40 years. Our reputation, our brand recognition, our business has been built around this single product. We are extremely proud of it!”
The Southwest Georgia Business Development Center is located at 1150 Industrial Drive in Vienna. The exhibit is free to the public and will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for July 4 and 5.
Everyone attending will receive a brochure featuring local cooks, photographs, and recipes from each of the twelve host sites throughout the state.
More information is available by contacting Ms. Joiner at 229-268-4920 or Ms. Couch at 229-268-4458. They will be happy to arrange for large group tours.
A grand opening ceremony and gala reception is planned for Friday, June 27at 6 p.m. at the exhibition site.
State Senator George Hooks plans to attend, and he will be presenting the 25th anniversary proclamation to the Vienna Historical Preservation Society. The public is invited to attend.

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