“Selma is Now: The Photography of Spider Martin”

This powerful exhibition commemorates one of the most defining moments in American history through the lens of photojournalist James “Spider” Martin. At just twenty-five years old, Martin captured the historic 1965 voting rights demonstrations in Selma, Alabama—from the harrowing events of “Bloody Sunday” to the triumphant march to Montgomery. His striking images, widely circulated by the national media, exposed the brutal reality faced by peaceful protesters and helped galvanize public support for the Voting Rights Act.

Sixty years later, “Selma Is Now” presents a newly restored selection of Martin’s photographs. Originally premiered at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in February 2025, the exhibition offers a deeply human perspective on the courage and resilience of those who stood for justice.

Drawn from the Spider Martin Photographic Archive at the Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas, these images not only document the violence and resistance of the era but also explore the complex dynamics between the media, law enforcement, and civil rights activists. This exhibition invites reflection on the enduring significance of the Selma marches and their lasting impact on American democracy.

The exhibition is presented in partnership with Broward Cultural Division and will be on display at AARLCC through June 27, 2026.

Join us on Saturday, January 31, 2026, for a powerful event, "Cultural Conversation "Selma: Legacy, Lens, and Liberation," between entrepreneur and art advocate Doug McCraw and award-winning equity strategist and activist Chevara Orrin, as they explore the enduring impact of James “Spider” Martin’s iconic photographs of the 1965 Selma voting rights marches. This panel, held in conjunction with the "Selma Is Now" exhibition, delves into the intersection of art, activism, and historical memory.

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