The American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark proudly exhibits The Still Family Saga: Seeking Freedom by Mark Priest from Monday, May 1st through Saturday, August 19th, 2023. The general public is cordially invited to attend the Museum’s Annual May Day Festival, also on May 1st, 2023 and beginning at 7PM.
Mark Priest's exhibition focuses on the Underground Railroad. William Still, well-known abolitionist and writer of firsthand narratives of freedom seekers, was in his office writing the account of a man named Peter. This man purchased his freedom after enduring 49 years as a slave. As he told his story, William Still realized, to his amazement, that they were brothers. This body of work contains drawings and paintings that depict the arduous journey to freedom for Peter Still and his family.
In one exhibited painting entitled Sydney's Choice, an enslaved woman named Sydney Still is depicted. She was forced by the owner of Edmonson's Reserve to escape to freedom. She had to choose between saving from enslavement either her two young sons or her two little daughters.
Mark Priest is a narrative painter and draughtsman who has developed multiple series of bold, vivid, and dramatic works of art. He has exhibited widely and currently teaches fine art at the University of Louisville. Learn more about Mark Priest’s art work by visiting: https://markapriest.org.
This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
The Botto House National Landmark, headquarters of the American Labor Museum, is located at 83 Norwood Street in Haledon, NJ. It was the meeting place for over 20,000 silk mill workers during the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike. The Museum offers a free lending library, restored period rooms, changing exhibits, museum store, Old World Gardens, educational programs and special events. The Museum's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9AM-5PM. Visitors are welcome Wednesday through Saturday from 1PM-4PM and at other times by appointment. For further information about the Museum, visit www.labormuseum.net.