Art Walk exhibit from Springfield native showcases black western culture

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Springfield's First Friday Art Walk took place this Friday, Aug. 1.The event takes place every month, showcasing local art and music.

One of the artists there today was Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Ron Tarver. He's a Springfield native, but he says his exhibit today was the first time he's been in the city for thirty years.

He spent that time taking photographs of black cowboys all over the country.

His goal is to bring awareness to a part of American history he believes has been largely forgotten.

"It never ceases to amaze me how many people don't know about the history of the black west," said Tarver.

Some visitors to the exhibit say they appreciate the unique focus.

"Even me as a person of color, I can't say I know all that much about, you know, black cowboys," said one visitor who goes by Hu. "Because that's not the world that I come from."

But besides shining a spotlight on an element of black culture, Tarver says he also hopes people just appreciate the art.

"It doesn't intend to be preachy," said Tarver. "It's really just to exhibit what I hope are lovely pictures about a lovely culture."