August HEARTS, Art & Film Review, and Gala Preview

Mark your calendar and get your tickets for HEARTS Sacred Grounds coming soon to the historic Iredell Jail.

You are invited to join us for the third HEARTS Sacred Grounds, our annual exploration of the burial grounds of the enslaved in our region. Presenting HEARTS: Sacred Grounds with Dr. Julia Robinson Moore on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 2-4 PM at the historic Iredell Jail in downtown Statesville, NC, in partnership with the Iredell Arts Council.

HEARTS (history, ecology, arts, reunion, trails, store) happenings are curated events sharing specific local history often hidden or overlooked. The quest to learn more about the burial sites of the enslaved in our region began with the launch of HEARTS Reunion project.

HEARTS co-founder, Abigail Jennings, began noticing parallel stories at historic churches in our region when learning that the enslaved were often buried “over the wall” at historic churches. These sacred places were generally unmarked and often lost over time. Dr. Moore’s work has been paramount in linking these stories and documenting this practice. Join us for our next HEARTS happening as Dr. Moore shares her journey exploring African-American sacred spaces across our region in her presentation, “Preserving the Past for Our Future: The History of Catawba Presbytery and its Sacred Grounds.”

The event includes live music by Sacred Steel artist Dashawn Hickman, visual art by Tony Griffin, poetry by William Baldwin, with an ecology spotlight on historic burial-ground plantings.  Attendance is free to the community, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Tickets: https://ticketstripe.com/HEARTS-Sacred-Grounds-25 

Sacred Grounds Speaker: Rev. Dr. Julia Robinson Moore

We are honored to present Rev. Dr. Julia Robinson Moore as HEARTS’ featured August speaker. Dr. Moore has a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in American History from Michigan State University.

She is an Associate Professor of African American Religions in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research and teaching have positioned her as a scholar of African American Religious History. Dr. Moore has presented lectures in Canada, Ghana, Germany, Italy, Japan, and at the University of Oxford, England.

Her present research includes a community-engaged initiative that works with community stakeholders to restore memory and memorialize Charlotte’s historic enslaved burial grounds. Bringing descendant Black and White Presbyterian communities together that have a shared church history with slavery, Dr. Moore’s Equity in Memory and Memorial Project serves the larger Charlotte community by creating substantive partnerships between the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and local Presbyterian churches in peacebuilding efforts that memorialize the burial grounds of Black Presbyterians created during the colonial and antebellum era.

Featured Musical Guest, Dashawn Hickman

Featuring live music by Dashawn Hickman, one of the foremost contemporary practitioners of Sacred Steel, a blues-gospel tradition dating back to the Pentecostal-Holiness churches of the 1930s, Hickman grew up not only hearing the pedal steel in the tiny House of God church his family attended in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, but also listening to his mother play lap steel in their home. Hickman picked up the instrument at the age of 5, after his mother put it down to concentrate on ministering. By the age of 12, his local reputation as a pedal steel player was such that he was regularly asked to play at other area churches. 

Dashawn has most recently spent time traveling with Cirque du Soleil as a member of the Songblazers band, a new country themed show, the first of its kind. Hickman has also graced the cover of many notable music magazines, Blues Blast and All About Jazz, as well as featured in Vintage Guitar Magazine. He was also recognized as one of the country's best upcoming artists with nominations from IBA (International Blues Association) and Blues Blast Music awards. Hickman says, “I just want people to enjoy the music and forget about the day. Just live in the time and space that we have been given”.  We hope you can join us for this musical treat!

HEARTS Sacred Grounds features visual art by Tony Griffin and poetry by William P. Baldwin from their book, Southern Prayers. Griffin’s masterful imagery harmonizes with Baldwin’s evocative verses, creating a powerful dialogue between sight and word.

HEARTS in July: A Review of An Evening of Art and Film

Will White highlighted how the fashion film was born out of the Charlotte SHOUT! Festival’s evolving fashion component.

HEARTS hosted its inaugural An Evening of Art & Film on July 19th at the historic Cedar Grove. The event celebrated the “A” in HEARTS by showcasing visual art, fashion design, and the art of film. It was an evening rich with connection, creativity, and powerful storytelling, immersing guests in a profound experience of place, memory, and community.

The first movie of the evening, “A Stitch In Time,” was a unique fashion film directed and shot by videographer and fashion designer Alexander Lieberman and creative director Will White. Inspired by Cedar Grove’s history, eight designers created looks based on the past, present, or future of fashion. Shot entirely at Cedar Grove, this film was narrated by White in minimal poetic verse, allowing the fashions to speak for themselves through fabric, light, and movement. The garments move through the historic home and grounds, acting as vessels of memory and bridging heritage with self-expression. Cedar Grove isn’t just a backdrop here; it feels like a co-star, with its aged wood and quiet spaces deepening the connection between past and present.

Design Details by Jamie Lykes II

One of the featured designers, Jamie Lykes II, shared insight into his featured piece, the stunning peach and lace gown inspired by 19th-century fashion. Lykes reflected on fashion as a personal and emotional art form, exploring how memory, time, and creativity shape design. He shared how the designers’ dress incorporated lace passed down from his Nana, highlighting the deep, personal connections woven into the piece. Lykes also emphasized the importance of process, risk-taking, and reimagining the familiar in the pursuit of meaningful creation.

Hidden History at Historic Churches

Next up, the pre-premiere of “Charlotte Seven” was played, a moving documentary by Dr. Julia Robinson Moore. This film follows her efforts to uncover and preserve sacred African-American sites around Charlotte—churches and burial grounds that have often been hidden or forgotten. Through personal and community stories, the film invites us to witness and care for these living spaces, reminding us that preservation is a spiritual responsibility and an act of remembrance. Dr. Moore is the featured speaker for HEARTS August Happening , see above for more details.

Artists’ Inspirations in “Honoring”

Our third film of the evening focused on visual art, and before its presentation, Arthur Rogers, representing HEARTS visual art partner, Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery (on behalf of his wife Joanne Rogers), introduced artists Eva Crawford and Sabrina Tillman, both featured in Cedar Grove’s current exhibit, “Honoring.”

Eva Crawford shared how she re-imagines old black-and-white photos using charcoal and acrylic, often painting portraits on quilts. Inspired by her grandmother and Niki Giovanni’s poem “Quilts,” her work explores legacy and the rebirth of materials.

Sabrina Tillman shared insights on her paintings from her Double Consciousness series, inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois’s idea of seeing oneself through both personal and societal lenses. Her work challenges stereotypes placed on Black women by blending symbols of strength and softness-fierce animals for survival, and flowers for grace. Each piece reclaims identity and honors resilience, turning scars into symbols of power.

Award-winning Elizabeth Bradford Documentary

The third film of the evening, “Warp Weft Water Weeds,” offered a gentle, meditative look at the creative process of North Carolina painter Elizabeth Bradford. Directed by John Rash and produced by Davidson College, the film connects Bradford’s landscape paintings to the forests and wetlands that inspire her. It asks us to slow down and see the natural world not just as scenery but as a living relationship and an invitation to care for land, memory, and self through art.

NC Premiere at Cedar Grove

HEARTS was proud to host the NC premiere of “Echoes of the Forks of Cypress,” a deep and reflective documentary by Frederick Murphy and Andrew Smith.

This film explores the layered history of a historic Alabama plantation, confronting the legacies of slavery and cultural memory tied to the land.

Through the voices of descendants, historians, and family members, it challenges us to face difficult truths, honor those who were oppressed, and consider how history shapes identity. The haunting imagery and thoughtful storytelling left a lasting impression about legacy, reconciliation, and the echoes of the past in our present.

As the evening came to a close, we were left with a deeper sense of connection to history, to place, and to one another. The artwork and each film reminded us of the power of storytelling in honoring the past and shaping our collective future. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening of art and film.

HEARTS Circle Members’ Gala

Looking ahead, we hope you can join us for this annual HEARTS highlight held in September each year, celebrating all the people who make HEARTS possible.

If you are inspired by HEARTS and want to help make a difference in local historic preservation, please consider joining or renewing your HEARTS membership. 

All members are invited to join us on Friday, September 27th, at historic Cedar Grove for our annual celebration of art, community, and heritage. A gourmet farm-to-table dinner by the Carolina Farm Trust, live music by the legendary David Childers, and special behind-the-scenes access to tour all levels of Cedar Grove on this magical night!

Presenting David Childers, HEARTS Gala House Concert

At this year’s HEARTS Members’ Gala, we’re honored to feature a special live performance by none other than David Childers, beloved singer-songwriter and 2025 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame inductee. It’s a night to recognize the stories that shape us and the people who help preserve them. Whether you’re a longtime member or new to the circle, we can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Join HEARTS Circle

Do you believe our local history should be preserved, connected, and shared?

If so, please join us. Together we can do so much more!

A special thank you to Lake Norman Realty as HEARTS Presenting Sponsor and to our HEARTS Circle members for their continued support. Your contributions make our programs possible - from preservation and trail work to community events and the arts. Donations are always welcome, and every gift helps us continue this important work.