The Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina, will host a new summer exhibition titled "Rooted in Memory: The Gullah Geechee Vision of Jonathan Green," opening June 19 and running through January 24, 2027. The show features vibrant paintings by acclaimed artist Jonathan Green, a native of Gardens Corner, South Carolina, whose work depicts family life, labor, celebration, and spirituality rooted in Gullah Geechee culture. The exhibition pairs Green's paintings with traditional crafts such as sweetgrass baskets, quilts, and Adinkra-printed cloth on loan from the Charleston Museum, the Gibbes Museum, and the South Carolina State Museum. The exhibition is part of the museum's summer season alongside "Fresh Air: Inflatable Sculptures" and "Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds."
This exhibition matters because it highlights the power of art to preserve and celebrate Gullah Geechee cultural heritage, connecting contemporary visual art with traditional craft traditions and West African roots. By bringing together works from an anonymous private collection with historic artifacts, the show underscores the role of art collecting in influencing generations and fostering cross-community understanding. It also reinforces the Cameron Art Museum's commitment to showcasing regional contemporary art and creating meaningful cultural connections for audiences in the Southeast.