The Delta Cultural Center in Helena shows the heritage of a 27-county region known as the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, or Arkansas Delta.
The Hugo and Gayne Preller photography exhibit, "House of Light," is well placed in the visitor's center museum, curator Bill Branch says. "It ties right into us."
The Prellers almost certainly would have stopped in Helena during their travels on the Mississippi River. Around the turn of the last century, they would have found a busy port of 50,000 population, three times the current count for Helena-West Helena.
Even in such a commotion, the appearance of their houseboat -- painted with signs offering everything from picture-taking and gun repair to Hugo's oil paintings -- might have been all the advertising they needed.
"It would have been something different," Branch says. "I think people would have come to the houseboat just to see it."
"House of Light" shares the museum with a second exhibit, "Delta Sounds," about the music and musicians of the Delta. And bluesman "Sunshine" Sonny Payne fronts the nearly 75-year-old radio show, King Biscuit Time, which airs from the center Monday through Friday.
GOIN' SOUTH
From Interstate 40, take the U.S. 49 exit at Brinkley and follow U.S. 49 about 50 miles south to Helena-West Helena.
"House of Light" continues through April 4 at the Delta Cultural Center's Visitors Center, 141 Cherry St., downtown Helena. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Admission is free.
More information is available at deltaculturalcenter.com, at facebook.com/hugoarthurpreller, or by calling (800) 358-0972.
Style on 02/01/2015