|
|
|
|
 View Images
USA
South
|
Vicksburg, MS
Margaret's Grocery and Market - Rev. Hermon D. Dennis
Reverend Dennis 1916- Margaret 1916-
Environment
|
|
Information:
Built: 1980's - present
Margaret's Grocery and Market, The Home of the Double Headed Eagle is owned by Margaret Rogers Dennis and her husband Reverend H. D. Dennis, who is responsible for the architectural look of the place. Dennis was born in 1916 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi and married the widow Rogers, his fifth wife, in 1979. Concrete cinder blocks, large sheets of heavy metal, and found objects are used to create this art environment. The most commonly used colors on the exterior of this folk art environment were red, white, and pink.
The interior of the market-church is decorated with elaborate candelabras and chalices as well as conventional shelves for groceries. Reverend Dennis also owns a church bus, outfitted with a pulpit and pews.
The Double Headed Eagle atop the signage is not just any eagle: it is that of the 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite. Furthermore, the two pillars flanking the door of the store are marked with the golden letters B and J, initials familiar to all Masons. One of the front windows, which carries the symbol for the Order of the Eastern Star; The matching window on the other side of the facade bears the Master Mason's symbol of a Square and Compasses with the letter G. Considering the region in which this site has been erected, one can safely assume that Reverend Dennis is a member of a Prince Hall Masonic lodge, for most of the members of that jurisdiction are African-American.
Lucky Mojo: "Margaret's Grocery And Market"
|
 |
Bibliography:
"Detour Art—Outsider, Folk Art, and Visionary Folk Art Environments Coast to Coast, Art and Photographs from the Collection of Kelly Ludwig" by Kelly Ludwig, Kansas City Star Books, 2007.
"Rare Visions & Roadside Revelations" (the book), by Randy Mason, Michael Murphy and Don Mayberger, Kansas City Star Publishing, 2002.
On DVD - Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations, "Southern Flavor", KCPT, Kansas City Public Television, 1999-2001.
"Self-Made Worlds: Visionary Environments" by Roger Manley and Mark Sloan, Aperture, New York, 1997.
"Self Taught, Outsider, and Folk Art—A guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources" by Betty-Carol Sellen with Cynthia J. Johnson, McFarland & Company, 2000.
"Souls Grown Deep: African American Vernacular Art of the South", Vol 2, Arnett, et al, 2001.
"Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations Coast to Coast Travel-o-Pedia" by Randy Mason, et. al., Kansas City Star Books, 2009. |
| |
