Hays-Heighe House Exhibit Receptions

For Release:
September 16, 2013

Beauty in Sport: Celebrating
Black Jockeys

in Harford County, Maryland,
and Beyond to Open at HCC

Harford Community College is opening an exhibition in the
Hays-Heighe House on campus on October 7 titled Beauty in Sport: Celebrating Black Jockeys in Harford County, Maryland,
and Beyond that will pay tribute and explore the integral role of African
Americans in the thoroughbred horseracing industry—not only as jockeys, but
also as trainers and grooms. 

In conjunction with the opening, two receptions will be
held on that day; the afternoon session from 12:30-1:30 PM is part of the new
“Food for Thought: Free Food for Free Minds at Hays-Heighe House” series of
programs.  An evening reception will be
held from 6:30-8 PM as one of the Salon at Hays-Heighe programs. Stuart Hudgins
will discuss his collection of early motion photography and talk about how
these photographs captured the important contributions made by African-American
jockeys and trainers at both receptions. 
Mr. Hudgins is a multi-media artist, film archivist and resource
curator.  He has worked as an editorial
illustrator for the Baltimore Sun and
as artist in residence at several schools and recreation centers in Baltimore.

Beauty in Sport:
Celebrating Black Jockeys looks at varying perspectives and will include
the portrayal of black jockeys in fine art with a particular emphasis on the
nineteenth century Currier & Ives lithographs. Further, it will examine
African American jockeys in controversies including the legend and legacy of
the lawn jockey as well as the decline in black jockeys in the racing industry.

While the exhibit will depict many national successful
horsemen, it will be augmented with a compelling local story. Of special
interest to those with fond memories of the Havre de Grace “Graw,” it will
feature the team behind the champions with homage to local horsemen including
Eugene “Josh” Fisher, groom to Saggy, who beat Citation, subsequent Triple
Crown winner in 1948.

A major component of the overall exhibition is the
traveling exhibit curated by Pellom McDaniels, Ph.D., titled The Prince of Jockeys: The Life of Isaac
Burns Murphy. Dr. McDaniels is releasing a book of the same name, and he
will be on campus on October 24 for a curator’s walk of his exhibit and
reception and also for a book signing/luncheon on October 25.  A former player for the Kansas City Chiefs
and the Atlanta Falcons, Dr. McDaniels is Faculty Curator of African American
Collections and an Assistant Professor in the Department of African American
Studies at Emory University where he specializes in Sports History and Black
Masculinity.  Dr. McDaniels has curated
exhibitions on a wide range of topics including the role of African Americans
in the Great World War (Kansas City and Des Moines), John Brown (Kansas City),
Carter G. Woodson (Kansas City and Atlanta), and  Langston Hughes (Atlanta).  His is the author of So You Want to be a PRO? A Realistic Game Plan for Kids who Want to
Become a Professional Athlete (Addax, 1999) and My Own Harlem (Addax, 1998).

Celebrating Black
Jockeys was inspired by a painting that now hangs in the Hays-Heighe House.
“Yorkville Belle, Isaac Murphy Up” was painted by American artist, Gean Smith,
in 1892 after Murphy’s victory at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. The painting was
purchased with money donated by the former president of Harford Community
College, Jim LaCalle, and his wife, Lynne. Murphy, a three time Kentucky Derby
winner, is considered one of the greatest jockeys of all time. He was among the
first inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame in 1955.

Beauty in Sport:
Celebrating Black Jockeys is curated by Hays-House Coordinator Iris Barnes
and student intern Madison Griffits.

Exhibit hours are Tuesdays, 1-3 PM, Fridays, 10-12 PM,
and first Saturdays, 10 AM-12 PM.  The
Hays-Heighe House at Harford Community College is located at 401 Thomas Run
Road in Bel Air.  For information, call
443-412-2495.

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