"A Soldier's Story'

Fulton library program to share artist's portraits of black Civil War soldiers

October 6, 2013 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated October 6, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.

Artist Essex Garner will talk about the stories he tells through his paintings of the Colored Infantry and Buffalo Soldiers from the Civil War during a program Oct. 12 at the Callaway County Public Library in Fulton.
Artist Essex Garner will talk about the stories he tells through his paintings of the Colored Infantry and Buffalo Soldiers from the Civil War during a program Oct. 12 at the Callaway County Public Library in Fulton.

Essex Garner tells stories through art.

Oct. 12 he will tell Callaway County Public Library patrons the stories of the Colored Infantry and Buffallo Soldiers during the Civil War.

Garner will be giving a program on his Portraits of American History series, which focuses on the academic and personal struggles of the men of the 62nd and 65th Colored Infantries - the men who founded Lincoln University in Jefferson City. According to a library program guide, Garner's presentation Oct. 12- to be held at 9:30 a.m. in the Friends of the Library Room - will include "Learning to Read, A Soldier's Story." Garner creates his portraits based on photos from descendents and other sources.

Mitzi St. John, manager of public relations for the Daniel Boone Regional Library, said Garner's presentation is one that should not be missed.

"I've seen a few samples of it. The quality of the artwork is something to be appreciated," St. John said. "The fact that he has captured a part of our history is important to everyone."