Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – KASU 91.9 FM, the public media service of Arkansas State University, is presenting “We Shall Overcome,” a photo exhibit honoring the history of Civil Rights Trail sites through the lens of renowned photographer Art Meripol.  

Meripol will be on campus to discuss his work and processes with two educational talks at 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the A-State Humanities and Social Sciences Building, room 1028.

Later that evening, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Meripol will present an “Art Talk” about the photos in the exhibition. This event will take place in the lobby and atrium of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building. All events are free and open to the public.

KASU, in partnership with the A-State Office of the Provost, A-State College of Liberal Arts and Communication, and Arisa Health, is bringing 25 photos of these significant sites to the public.  

Photos include Little Rock Central High School, the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., and other heritage locations. Northeast Arkies Best is sponsoring the reception.

“KASU is proud to present these important historic photographs to the community,” said Mark Smith, KASU station manager. “Since the opening of the exhibit on June 13, the response has been positive and welcoming. Meripol’s work is unparalleled, and the audience will find themselves immersed in important history and stellar craftsmanship.”

Photographer Art Meripol originally took these photos for the National Addy award-winning book, “The Official United States Civil Rights Trail: What Happened Here Changed the World,” commissioned by Lee Sentell. It’s one of Meripol’s favorite projects.  

A University of Arkansas journalism graduate, Meripol worked as a news photographer for 13 years after graduation. From the old Arkansas Gazette, he joined the staff of Southern Living magazine as senior travel photographer.

After almost 25 years of traveling and photographing the best of the South, he left and is now a Birmingham-based freelance photographer. Meripol has an extensive portfolio of rock and roll photography, and had these photos displayed at the Arkansas Old State House Museum in Little Rock in 2024.

“I am excited that Art will be on campus to speak with students and the community about these incredible shots of important history and have a chance to speak to students about his process and work,” said LaDawn Lee Fuhr, KASU corporate relations director.

KASU is a 100,000-watt FM radio station, housed on the campus of Arkansas State University, and is the public media service of the university. KASU is Arkansas’ oldest non-commercial public radio station, operating since 1957. The station has been an NPR member station since 1971. In addition to locally produced news and music programs, KASU pays to receive programming from NPR, American Public Media and other sources.