Alumna’s work featured as part of ‘Celebrate Black America’ exhibit at Niswonger Performing Arts Center

rahmpaintingThree paintings by Wanda Rahm ‘05, administrative assistant at the Center for Civic Advancement, are featured in “Celebrate Black America,” an exhibit now on display in the lobby of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in downtown Greeneville.

Rahm is among the 18 artists to contribute work to the exhibit, which was the idea of James-Ben Stockton, director of James-Ben: Studio & Gallery Art Center, who asked artists to create works honoring the contributions of African Americans to the nation.

Stockton, who was raised in Greene County, was inspired to plan the exhibit after learning the role that Greene County played in extending the country’s freedoms to former slaves and their descendents. An early and influential emancipation newspaper was printed in Greeneville, and Presbyterians and Quakers in the area were active participants in the Underground Railroad. Tusculum College also played a role as the first ordained African-American minister in the Presbyterian Church was a product of its predecessor, Greeneville College.

The exhibit is open from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with additional evening viewings when evening events are scheduled in the auditorium. The Niswonger Performing Arts Center is located adjacent to Greeneville High School on Tusculum Boulevard.