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Jackie Torrance’s Jacket
When Sheila Arnold was beginning her storytelling career, several people mentioned that her telling reminded them of Jackie Torrance.
Although Sheila had never had a chance to experience Jackie Torrance's telling in person, she learned more about her. Although their personalities and styles were distinctive, there were definite areas of similarity.
Arnold recognized Jackie Torrance's influence on the development and growth of storytelling, when Sheila Arnold saw Torrance's colorful story cape being auctioned off by the National Association of Black Storytellers, she decided to bid and take it home.
Later Arnold decided to share this artifact with the Storytelling Resource Place in Jonesborough, TN. so that others could see and imagine Torrance telling Brer Rabbit stories.
Sheila Arnold honors Jackie Torrance as a foundational storyteller upon whose shoulders others could stand and develop the future storytelling. Come to the Storytelling Resource Place to see Jackie Torrance’s jacket in person!
Ruth Hill & Brother Blue Collection
In mid-2023 books, CDs, and DVDs from Ruth Hill’s and Brother Blue’s library were donated to the Storytelling Resource Place. An exhibit honoring their contributions to oral history and storytelling was created at the SRP along with other donations and photographs from Robert Smyth, Yellow Moon Press.
The exhibit was featured at the Storytelling Resource Place during the 2023 National Storytelling Festival. Photographs, quotations and posters about their lives were displayed throughout the house for festival goers, performers and friends to enjoy and to learn about the Hills. The books and media are now shelved on a cosmic blue bookshelf.
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