Columbia Museum of Art honors the late Honorable Matthew Perry | Events

The Columbia Museum of Art presents a Community Gallery installation honoring the life of the late Honorable Matthew Perry with photographs by Orangeburg native photographer Cecil J. Williams, beginning February 14 through April 1, 2012.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />

Judge Matthew Perry, senior U.S. District judge for South Carolina, became a towering civil rights figure who used his intellect, work ethic and courage to help end segregation. In Orangeburg during the 1960s, Perry, represented hundreds of students jailed for civil rights demonstrations and also led the successful court battle for Harvey Gantt to integrate Clemson University in 1963. In 1976, President Gerald Ford appointed Perry, the first African-American lawyer from the Deep South, to the United States Military Court of Appeals.

Williams' photographs captured the African-American experience throughout the second half of the 20th century.  He is a graduate of Claflin University and is the yearbook photographer for Claflin and South Carolina State University. At 14 years old, Williams began freelancing for JET Magazine and his photographs have appeared in state and national photographic exhibitions, numerous historical books, motion pictures and national publications including Time, Newsweek and Associated Press.