SAVANNAH, Ga. — This Friday, November 7, Savannah State University will unveil a compelling new art exhibition by local folk artist Panhandle Slim. The exhibit, intriguingly titled “The Struggle of Folk Through Art: Panhandle Slim at Savannah State University,” promises to be a vibrant celebration of the humor, voices, and indomitable spirit of the Southern community, captured through Slim’s vivid painted portraits.

The exhibition, thoughtfully curated by Dr. Deborah Johnson-Simon, a museum anthropologist and the visionary founder and CEO of Savannah’s African Diaspora Museology Institute, aims to bridge the connection between Panhandle Slim’s community-oriented artwork and the enduring legacy of Virginia and Calvin Kiah. Additionally, it highlights the ongoing effort to preserve the Kiah House Museum. Visitors are invited to delve into the notion of art as a form of civic action and a keeper of collective memory, reflecting on how public and straightforward art can inspire and mobilize communities.

This engaging collection will be showcased in the Asa H. Gordon Library Art Gallery on the Savannah State University campus, offering an enriching experience for art enthusiasts and community members alike. The exhibition will be open to the public until March 31, 2026, providing ample opportunity for all to appreciate the artistic dialogue between past, present, and future.

The exhibit is located on the Savannah State University campus in the Asa H. Gordon Library Art Gallery. It will be on view through March 31, 2026.