Stone Mountain Park Celebrates
Black History Month with Soul-Filled Art Exhibit
Featured paintings by Ted Ellis depict African-American Soldiers throughout history
Date/Time: Jan. 31- March 31; 10a.m. to 5p.m.
Location: Stone Mountain Park’s Memorial Hall Museum
Price: Adventure Pass $26/$21 children 3-11 (tax not included); Individual admission for Memorial Hall Museum $9 for adults and $7 ages 3-11 (tax not included)
Stone Mountain, Ga. – In celebration of Black History Month, Stone Mountain Park presents “Courage of Conviction: The African-American Soldier” featuring the paintings of Ted Ellis Jan. 31 through March 31. The eleven displayed paintings depict black soldiers from the Revolutionary War through World War II and can be exclusively seen at Stone Mountain Park’s Memorial Hall Museum.
“We are thrilled to have an exhibit honoring black soldiers,” said Cindy Horton, historic attractions supervisor at Stone Mountain Park. “Stone Mountain Park has always been a place to honor American history and this is a new facet as the paintings bring vitality and realism to a part of American life unknown to many.”
Ellis, a self-taught artist, blends realism and impressionism in his work establishing a unique education on American History. The inspirational pieces of the “Courage of Conviction” exhibit highlight Civil War soldiers fighting for the North and the South; Buffalo Soldiers who helped settle the West; soldiers who served in WWI and WWII as cooks and infantry men and the Tuskegee Airman who never lost a plane on any of their missions.
“I’m very proud of this exhibit and I feel it truly captures the life of an African-American soldier,” said Ted Ellis, featured artist. “I’m often amazed at the commitment and sacrifices African-American soldiers made for a country who did not accept them. I hope each painting is a reminder of their service and loyalty.”
Additionally, the exhibit features photographs, artifacts and archival film footage from 1776 to WWII focusing on true stories of exceptional black Georgians in America’s military history. Stone Mountain Park is also offering school field trips that combine a ninety-minute interactive program highlighting African-Americans with Georgia backgrounds and the viewing of the Ellis exhibit. For more information on “Courage of Conviction”, school field trips or other Stone Mountain Park attractions, visit stonemountainpark.com.
Ted Ellis is a passionate painter whose purpose is to record the history of American culture through the eyes of African-American men and woman. His goal is to educate through art and draws on his childhood experiences growing up in New Orleans. In the ten years as an artist, Ellis has sold over one million prints and posters. Ellis currently resides in Friendswood, Texas.
Listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids Before They Grow Up and cited by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of “35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See…,” Stone Mountain Park is located just 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta. To get to the park, take I-285 to Exit 39B, Hwy 78 East. Stone Mountain Park is Exit 8 on Hwy. 78.