Overview

From the early time of slavery to today, the African American community has embraced the church as a symbol and site for inspiration, guidance and hope. The celebration of adorning oneself has deep roots dating back to the first African slaves in America. Hallelujah Hats is a celebration of the churches of Washington Park, the once thriving segregated African American community in Mesa, Arizona, through the jewelry, hats, and fashion worn by female churchgoers. The exhibition focuses around five churches: North Center Street Baptist, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal, Voice of Pentecost, Holy Temple Church of Christ, and Mt. Baptist Calvary Church. The book includes photos of vintage hats, purses, gloves, costume jewelry shoes, dresses, and fur-lined, collared wool coats typically worn by the church members. It also includes historic photographs of ceremonial baptisms in the local canal.

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We are very excited to have Hallelujah Hats at the Mesa Historical Museum. This exhibit is a testament to the strength and faith of the followers of the first Black churches in Mesa. Susan Ricci, Executive Director, Mesa Historical Museum

"""We are very excited to have Hallelujah Hats at the Mesa Historical Museum. This exhibit is a testament to the strength and faith of the followers of the first Black churches in Mesa."" Susan Ricci, Executive Director, Mesa Historical Museum"

Author Information

"I am a product of the Washington-Escobedo Community where I attended the segregated Booker T. Washington School, toiled in the cotton fields picking and chopping cotton, pitching water melons and swimming in the local canal. My instillations take a critical view of social, political and cultural issues in the African American community. The Hallelujah Hats exhibition, along with other exhibits I have created, reflect and immortalize the folks that live in that community. They breathe life into their stories. ""If by highlighting the beauty of Creation my art leads the eye and the heart back to the Creator, my camera lens has given attribution to the true Source."" Heather J. Kirk is a writer, graphic designer and fine art photographer. She curated several art exhibitions for Herberger Theater in 2014, including ""Personal Panethnicity: when the color of my face is only part of the story."" She was also commissioned to create a piece of art for the KAX Stage to honor Katehrine ""Kax"" Herberger, and recognize her family's contributions to the theater. Heather's art has been a featured artist in Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine. Her art has shown nationally, including at: de Young Museum in San Francisco; The Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico; dana gallery in Missoula, Montana; Eleanor Bliss Center for the Arts in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and The Art Institute and Gallery in Salisbury, Maryland. In Arizona, her art has shown at: Off Madison Avenue, Van Gogh's Ear, Shemer Art Center, Gammage Auditorium, Herberger Theater, @ Central Gallery, and Tempe Community Galleries. Heather Kirk's art is in several private and corporate collections, including: American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Daphne, Alabama; St. Joseph's Barrows Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona; Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer in Natick, Massachusetts; and Eller Graduate School of Management, The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. ""If by highlighting the beauty of Creation my art leads the eye and the heart back to the Creator, my camera lens has given attribution to the true Source."" Heather J. Kirk is a writer, graphic designer and fine art photographer. She curated several art exhibitions for Herberger Theater in 2014, including ""Personal Panethnicity: when the color of my face is only part of the story."" She was also commissioned to create a piece of art for the KAX Stage to honor Katehrine ""Kax"" Herberger, and recognize her family's contributions to the theater. Heather's art has been a featured artist in Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine. Her art has shown nationally, including at: de Young Museum in San Francisco; The Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico; dana gallery in Missoula, Montana; Eleanor Bliss Center for the Arts in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and The Art Institute and Gallery in Salisbury, Maryland. In Arizona, her art has shown at: Off Madison Avenue, Van Gogh's Ear, Shemer Art Center, Gammage Auditorium, Herberger Theater, @ Central Gallery, and Tempe Community Galleries. Heather Kirk's art is in several private and corporate collections, including: American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Daphne, Alabama; St. Joseph's Barrows Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona; Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer in Natick, Massachusetts; and Eller Graduate School of Management, The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona."

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