Stephen Towns

Motown in Motion

Motown in Motion is based on the history of Paradise Park, a segregated tourist destination in Florida. The “separate, but equal” location was a mile away from Silver Springs, a commercial attraction for white visitors. Despite the systemic oppression at large enacted by Jim Crow laws, Paradise Park was a space of joy and leisure for Black and African American communities, offering beaches, performances, a petting zoo, and more. In this quilted piece, Towns used crystal glass beads and metal buttons to depict the shimmering sky and crackling bonfire. The scene features five beachgoers, who are safe to engage in recreation together, enjoying the water and the warmth of the fire while listening to Motown melodies on a small blue radio.