SLAB and Show Car Culture in Central Texas Preview Event
*Note: This is a Virtual Event that will take place live on the Texas Folklife Facebook Page*
Texas Folklife is excited to announce our new exhibit, SLAB and Show Car Culture in Central Texas will be coming to our virtual exhibit platform soon. Join us for a preview of this virtual exhibit that highlights the SLAB and car culture born in Texas on Sunday, August 29th at 4 PM Central Time. This event will be broadcasted on the Texas Folklife Facebook Page.
This event will feature presentations and discussions from project collaborators, including:
Folklorist and Ethnomusicologist Langston Wilkins
Photographer Cindy Elizabeth
Hands Full of Cash Car Club President Rogerick Davis
Archivist and Researcher Ryan Blake
More information on this exhibit can be found at www.texasfolklife.org/slabcar.
Exhibit Description:
Texas Folklife's SLAB and Show Car Culture in Central Texas exhibit aims to showcase the artistry, cultural narratives, and community significance of African American SLAB and show car culture of Central Texas. The exhibit features "Central Texas Still Holdin'", a photograph collection by Cindy Elizabeth, insights from show car club participants, and contextualization by scholars and researchers, including Folklorist and Ethnomusicologist Langston Collin Wilkins.
Cindy Elizabeth Artist Statement:
As an artist, I approach image-making from a collaborative place, drawing inspiration from the
people or environments I’m photographing to create authentic imagery that strives to stand as
an authentic reflection of the community or experience. My photographic practice explores
concepts of culture, history, and symbolism with the goal of bringing visibility to Black joy,
community, and perseverance.
Central Texas Still Holdin’ is a tribute to the Car and SLAB culture born in Texas. Created over
the course of the pandemic, this collection of images showcases portraits of central
Texas-based car clubs and community members along with images of the rides and accessories that bring them a sense of belonging and pride. Even through all the hardships and loss brought on by the pandemic, the culture and the community is, as coined by the late DJ Screw, Still Holdin’.
Photo credits to project photographer, Cindy Elizabeth.
This exhibit was made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is also supported in part by the board, members, and individual donors who support Texas Folklife, as well as the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and Texas Commission on the Arts. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this event and exhibit do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Commission on the Arts, The City of Austin Cultural Arts Division of the Economic Development Department, or Humanities Texas.
