Southern Comfort

The blues stands as one of the most vibrant, powerful American art forms, and like much of the best art, it was born out of poverty, pain and disenfranchisement. By finding a way to distill the tribulations of the black experience in America into music, early blues artists provided their audience with catharsis, relief and an outlet for self-expression. Photographer Gail Mooney traveled to the Mississippi Delta to document blues performers, and her evocative images show these artists in their own communities, presenting them with the admiration and focus they deserve.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 12-4 p.m.; Thursdays, 12-8 p.m. Starts: July 1. Continues through Aug. 31, 2008