Will the Circle Be Un broken?, on display November 11, 2021 -- March 13, 2022 at William King Musuem of Art in Abingdon, VA, takes a look at the ephemeral items and lasting objects surrounding both the beginning and end of life, as well as the traditions carried on in our Appalachian region.
Focusing heavily on the way that we mourn, celebrate, and honor the dead, items such as a hair wreath, hair ring, and funeral ribbon blan ket remind us that often, we attempt to hold onto a loved one through an object related to them. These beautiful, albeit macabre, objects
outlive the individuals they honor and can be passed from generation to generation, much like songs and customs.
This exhibition aims to discuss rituals and traditions relating to birth and death throughout our region, such as baptisms/christenings, death masks, photography of infants and children, and funeral hymns, such as the titular “Will The Circle Be Unbroken?”, a song frequently sung at graveside services’. The song also ties to the region with the 1930s recording by the Carter Family, which changed the lyrics to the more popular version known today.
Explore the circle of life and its lasting cultural influences in our Appa lachian region. Learn more about Will the Circle Be Unbroken? online at WilliamKingMuseum.org or call (276) 628-5005 ext.107.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recom mend that fully vaccinated people wear a fa ce covering for indoor settings. Therefore, all staff and visitors to the museum, regardless of vaccination status, will be expected to wear masks. For outdoor events, this policy will apply to unvaccinated visitors and is recom mended for those fully vaccinated.
William King Museum of Art is open seven days a week: Mon - Wed, Fri & Sat from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the Museum is FREE. For information on exhibitions or events at William King Museum of Art visit williamkingmuseum.org or call 276-628-5005.