"Like" the Facebook page!
Connecting Memphis
  • Home
  • Memphis
  • Index
  • Presentations
  • Conclusion
  • Cindy McMillion Photography

A FOND FAREWELL / ABOUT THE ARTIST

PURCHASE THE BOOKS
Two-and-a-half years ago, newly retired from the public school system, I launched a community storytelling project and called it Connecting Memphis. Its goal was simple: to honor the image of God in every human being. Over these past many months, I've had the privilege of interviewing almost 1200 people from all parts of our city. I can say with absolute certainty that my life has been changed and enriched by the stories people have so generously shared. I am grateful beyond words to have encountered so many wonderful people of all ages, ethnicities, religions, levels of education, economic circumstances, degrees of health, interests, abilities, and backgrounds. The more I’ve listened to people, the more I’ve come to realize that we share many more commonalities than differences. Each of us brings something to the table, and every person is valuable beyond description. We all have stories --- many stories --- inside of us, those unique experiences that have brought us to this point on our journey. None of us fit into neat categories. We are much, much bigger than that.
 
As the Connecting Memphis project comes to a close, I want to thank you for reading the interviews and encouraging and affirming those whose stories have appeared in this space. When someone gives us a glimpse into his or her life and we identify with it, something wonderful happens. Author Anne Lamott puts it this way: “When you tell the truth and somebody says ‘me too’, then you know you’re home.” We are not alone in our struggles; we all have hard things to deal with. We all love, we all grieve, we all hope, we’re all afraid sometimes. And we all need the thoughtfulness, kindness, and compassion so very evident in your comments and responses to the stories. Thank you for that.
 
A special thanks to Caritas Village for letting me monopolize a window booth as my “office.” Thank you to the Memphis Public Library --- particularly Wayne Dowdy and Wang-Ying Glasgow --- for making it possible for me to conduct interviews there. Thank you to St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral; their weekly community breakfasts have enabled me to meet many of the homeless men and women whose stories appear here. Thank you to the many festival organizers, non-profits, local businesses, community centers, houses of worship, retirement homes, civic organizations, and individuals in various neighborhoods who have welcomed me so warmly and openly. Thank you to the many artists of all kinds who touch our hearts and imaginations with their courage and creativity every single day. A special thanks to CBU Gallery Director and local artist Rollin Kocsis for encouraging me from the beginning and walking with me as the project moved toward completion. And of course, heartfelt gratitude to my husband Phil for his unfailing support and love.
 
SAVE THE DATE:  Many, many thanks to Christian Brothers University for sponsoring and hosting the upcoming CONNECTING MEMPHIS Exhibit. The opening reception for the show will be May 18, 2018, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Beverly & Sam Ross Gallery on the campus of Christian Brothers University and will feature a number of photos and stories from the project. Yes, the opening is more than a year away, but I would be so honored to have you join me that evening. Please mark it on your calendar! The exhibit will be on view through August 1, 2018, and the pieces will then become part of the university’s permanent collection. Thank you, CBU and Rollin Kocsis for affirming the value of our community’s stories.
 
Going forward, I plan to continue to volunteer with a couple of non-profits and to work on some personal writing and photography projects. I'm not sure in which direction those will take me, but I'm excited to explore the possibilities.
 
There is so much more I could say, but I will close with this quote from the Bible, found in Micah 6:8. This simple but profound truth reminds me daily of what is really important in life: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
 
Thank you, Memphis. You are a treasure.
 
Cindy Putnam McMillion
​February 25, 2017

​Websites:  www.connectingmemphis.com and https://www.cindymcmillionphotography.com 

FB:  http://www.facebook.com/connectingmemphis
Email:  [email protected] and [email protected]
Picture
  • Article by Commercial Appeal columnist David Waters: 'Connecting Memphis' one web post, one person at a time (online 2/24/17, print 2/25/17)
  • Video (above): https://youtu.be/qaDyamuF14k

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Cindy McMillion is a photographer and writer living in Memphis, Tennessee. Her work revolves around the belief that recognizing and honoring the divine image inside every human being is the basis for living in community.

Her work includes:

Connecting Memphis, a two-and-a-half year community interview and photography project. Exhibited at Christian Brothers University in 2018, now part of the CBU permanent collection. See online at
https://www.facebook.com/connectingmemphis
https://www.connectingmemphis.com/

Also available for purchase on Amazon at 
tinyurl.com/3msy9yly

One of Us: Stories of Prostitution and Addiction, a photo book containing the stories of women in the process of leaving street life. Published 2018. Available on Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/3rz8prym

​Within Thy Gates, O Jerusalem, a photography project depicting life in the Old City. Exhibited at the Memphis Jewish Community Center’s Shainberg Gallery in 2019. See online at https://www.cindymcmillionphotography.com/jerusalem.html

Hall of Faith, a photo / interview project documenting the faith stories of senior parishioners (ages 80-100) at Church of the Holy Communion in Memphis, TN. This 18-piece project, completed in 2021, is installed in the Blaisdell lobby of Church of the Holy Communion, 4645 Walnut Grove Road 38117. See more at https://www.cindymcmillionphotography.com/hall-of-faith.html.


Imago Dei, a photography project created with the input of numerous participants who answered the question "What is God like?" Exhibited at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, 700 Poplar 38105, in March and April 2022, at the Barth House Episcopal Center (adjacent to the University of Memphis campus, 409 Patterson 38111) in February and March 2023, and at Colonial Park United Methodist Church, 5330 Park Ave 38119 in the Winter / Spring of 2024. A book containing the complete exhibit is available on Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/rrtjkkw.

Half-Penny Sparrows, a young adult novel. Available for purchase at tinyurl.com/26lje52s


Cindy McMillion is the parish photographer for Church of the Holy Communion (Episcopal). For many years, she has also photographed weekly at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, providing free portraits for the housing-insecure men and women who attend the community breakfast and worship.


Email: [email protected]

BACK TO HOME
Proudly powered by Weebly