91“«Ć½

ā€˜In His Imageā€™ exhibition now open at 91“«Ć½ā€™s Colvard Student Union

ā€˜In His Imageā€™ exhibition now open at 91“«Ć½ā€™s Colvard Student Union

Students and others browse photographs in 91“«Ć½ā€™s ā€œIn His Imageā€ exhibition at Colvard Student Union.
Students and others browse photographic recreations of Classical art pieces featured through Nov. 25 in the ā€œIn His Imageā€ exhibition at Mississippi Stateā€™s Colvard Student Union art gallery. (Photo by Jarvis Mace)

Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.ā€”The Society of African American Studies at Mississippi State is presenting an art exhibition celebrating African-American religious experience through photographic recreations of Classical art pieces.

Free and open to all, ā€œIn His Imageā€ is on display through Nov. 25 in Colvard Student Unionā€™s second-floor art gallery.

African-American individuals look on as an African-American man points at a photograph on the wall.
Visitors of 91“«Ć½ā€™s Colvard Student Union art gallery look on as 91“«Ć½ African American Studies Program Director Don Shaffer points at a work of art in the ā€œIn His Imageā€ exhibition. Free and open to all, the display celebrates African-American religious experience through photographic recreations of Classical art pieces. (Photo by Jarvis Mace)

ā€œThe goal of the exhibition is to confront racial biases that are endogenous to Abrahamic faiths and traditions while expanding archetypal depictions of religious figures to promote inclusivity and diversity,ā€ said 91“«Ć½ African American Studies Program Director Don Shaffer.

Also an 91“«Ć½ associate professor of English, Shaffer said this exhibition seeks to challenge and examine the black communityā€™s evolving relationship to religion and spirituality in the 21st century.

Featured works include Michelangeloā€™s ā€œThe PietĆ ā€ and ā€œThe Creation of Adam,ā€ as well as Leonardo da Vinciā€™s ā€œThe Last Supper.ā€

Part of 91“«Ć½ā€™s College of Arts and Sciences, the African American Studies program offers courses on history, literature, politics and other aspects of black life and culture leading to anĀ Ā in AAS.

Graduate students also can develop a concentration in AAS. Those who successfully complete a combination of course work, teaching assignments and community engagement will earn a certificate of completion, as well as a letter of recognition from the director of the program. The graduate program also offers anĀ .

For more information on 91“«Ć½ā€™s College of Arts and Sciences or the African American Studies program, visit or .

91“«Ć½ is Mississippiā€™s leading university, available online at .