Vienna hosts Smithsonian exhibit

• A traveling exhibit honoring American food traditions opens Friday night.

Cathy Higgins

VIENNA — The Smithsonian’s free traveling exhibit, “Key Ingredients: America By Food,” is coming to Vienna this summer.

A community grand opening ceremony and gala reception at 6 p.m. Friday at the Southwest Georgia Business Development Center will kick off the exhibit.

Following the grand opening, “Key Ingredients” will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through Aug. 9.

“Key Ingredients” will delve into historical, regional and social traditions that have become daily meals and the American table.

“Curated by Charles Camp, ‘Key Ingredients: America By Food’ explores the connections between Americans and their food traditions with a provocative, thoughtful and interactive collection of artifacts, photographs and illustrations,” states an exhibit news release. “The food on the American table may not define exactly what we are as a nation, but the traditions surrounding our foods speak volumes about who we are.”

While the exhibit remains in Vienna, local programs and exhibits will supplement the national display. Included will be displays of Vienna’s Big Pig Jig State Barbecue Championship Cook-off, Cordele’s Watermelon Days Festival, Warwick’s National Grits Festival, popular foods and recipes from the 1800s provided by Historic Westville, as well as a painting by contemporary artist Jim Burton.

For more information or large group tours, call Janet Joiner at (229) 268-4920.

More SouthView>>