March 2011

Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, SC, Features Photographs by Cecil J. Williams

The Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, SC, honors the late Honorable Matthew Perry with the exhibit, The Life and Times of Judge Matthew Perry: Captured in Photographs by Cecil J. Williams, on view in the Community Gallery from Feb. 14 through Apr. 1, 2012.

Judge Matthew Perry, senior US District judge for South Carolina, became a towering civil rights figure who used his intellect, work ethic and courage to help end segregation. In Orangeburg, SC, during the 1960s, Perry, represented hundreds of students jailed for civil rights demonstrations and also led the successful court battle for Harvey Gantt to integrate Clemson University in 1963. In 1976, President Gerald Ford appointed Perry, the first African-American lawyer from the Deep South, to the United States Military Court of Appeals.

Cecil J. Williams’ photographs captured the African-American experience throughout the second half of the 20th century. He is a graduate of Claflin University in Orangeburg and is the yearbook photographer for Claflin and South Carolina State University. At 14 years old, Williams began freelancing for JET Magazine and his photographs have appeared in state and national photographic exhibitions, numerous historical books, motion pictures and national publications including Time, Newsweek and Associated Press.

The installation is presented by Nelson Mullins. Additional sponsors include: Smith Family Foundation, American Board of Trial Advocates, Mr. Arthur Primas, Johnson, Toal & Battiste, P.A., Alpha Iota Member Boulé - Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Delta Chi Member Boulé - Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, First Citizens Foundation, South Carolina Black Lawyers Association, Mr. and Mrs. Paul V. Fant, Sr., Lynette and Allard Allston, Susan Thorpe and John Baynes, Claflin University and Dr. and Mrs. Burnett W. Gallman.

For further information check our SC Institutional Gallery listings, call the Museum at 803/799-2810 or visit (www.columbiamuseum.org).

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