Ronnie Nichols \;will explore the history of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) \;in A rkansas \;and their enduring impact on the state\, providing important context for a modern effort to commemorate their service. In 2023\, the C entral Arkansas Library System launched a project to create a monument hon oring the African Americans who served in the United States military durin g the Civil War. The \;monument \;sculptor\, \;Vinnie Bagwell\, will discuss the creative process behind the work\, inc luding the development of its design and the symbolism reflected in its ic onography. \;
\nWe are excited to offer \;a lunc
h including \;a sandwich\, chips\, a cookie\, and a drink to in-person
attendees in 2026\, courtesy of the CALS Foundation. Meals are limited an
d will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. \;We cannot acco
mmodate dietary restrictions or allergies\, and registration does not guar
antee lunch will be available. \;
This program will be followed by a dedication of the monument in Library
Square.
Ronnie A. Nichols \;
is a distinguished historian\, author\, artist\, and cultural preservation
ist whose work illuminates the Civil War and the decisive contributions of
African American soldiers. For more than forty years\, he has recovered a
nd interpreted stories of courage\, sacrifice\, and citizenship\, informed
by his lineage as a relative of a Black Civil War veteran. Author of
\;Freedom! Lest We Forget\, and a consultant on the Academy Award
&ndash\;winning film \;Glory\, Nichols bridges scholarship an
d public history. \;A native of Little Rock\, Arkansas and a graduate
of Central High School\, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock\, N
ichols has a made a deep-seated impression in the City known as &ldquo\;Th
e Rock\,&rdquo\; and its place in history. \;His leadership in Arkansa
s&mdash\;including directing major heritage institutions\, curating landma
rk exhibitions\, and advancing preservation initiatives&mdash\;has earned
national recognition and a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Ark
ansas Historical Association for safeguarding and elevating African Americ
an Civil War history.
Vinnie Bagwell \;is a n ative New Yorker and has always been an agent for social\, educational\, a nd \;economic growth \;via the arts in her community. \;An alu mna \;of Morgan State University\, she is an untutored \;artist an d \;began sculpting in 1993. Bagwell&rsquo\;s public artworks teach\, challenge\, and inspire by bringing often overlooked histories and identit ies into the public eye. She is an inductee for 2022-23 Who&rsquo\;s Who i n America for sculpture. A representational-figurative artist\, Vinnie use s traditional bas-relief techniques as visual narratives to expand her sto rytelling. \;She has won numerous public-art commissions and awards a round the United States\, including Americans for the Arts inaugural Jorge and Darlene Pé\;rez Prize for civic engagement. Bagwell recently in stalled \;Arkansas&rsquo\;s Heroes \;in CALS Library Squa re\, and a dedication of the sculpture will follow this event.
\nLegacies &\; Lunch is a hybrid program offering participants t he opportunity to attend either in person or virtually via Zoom. To partic ipate in person\, join us at \;Darragh Center\, 5th Floor\, CALS Main Library (with elevator access). Parking is available in the surface lot or the CALS Parking Deck which you can access from Rock Street. Parking will be validated. To participate virtually\, register for the webinar using t he button above.
\nAll abilities are welcome. To request AS L interpretation or other accommodations\, call 501.918.3069 or email \;hzbinden@cals.org \;seven \;business weekdays before a program.& nbsp\;
\nThis program will be live-streamed to YouTube and the recording will be available immediately following the event.
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