Pepperpot

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Event Details

Pepperpot soup! Get it hot! Celebrate the musical and culinary traditions of Philadelphia through the story of pepperpot soup, a local dish with its history rooted in the colonial-era marketplaces of this city. V. Shayne Frederick’s presentation highlights the role of African American entrepreneurs in this cultural tradition through a newly commissioned musical performance, historical interpreters recreating the atmosphere of the marketplace, projections of imaginary “portraits” of these unsung chefs illustrated by graphic illustrator Eric Battle, and gallery talks in the American Art galleries.

Organized in partnership with ArtPhilly and in conjunction with the exhibition A Nation of Artists, this program is the second iteration of Pepperpot, which was first organized by V. Shayne Frederick as part of ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 festival. It honors the legacy of Philadelphia Jazz Project's visionary Homer Jackson.

For more details and tickets, please see the Philadelphia Museum of Art website.

Project Description

Initially conceived by the late interdisciplinary artist Homer Jackson envisioning a collaboration with Chef Valerie Erwin and illustrator Eric Battle, Pepperpot will be presented and developed under the guidance of jazz artist V. Shayne Frederick in close conversation with Jackson’s widow and creative partner, Lynn Washington, and culture worker/teaching artist Asake Denise Jones. At its heart is the story of pepper pot soup, a traditional dish with a multi-faceted and far reaching heritage. The project harkens back to the America of 250 years ago, anchoring the existence of African-American women and culture within Philadelphia’s historic marketplaces. This multimedia intergenerational event centers live musical and poetic performance composed by pianist and bandleader Dr. Kendrah Butler-Waters, performed by a team of Philadelphia-area musicians and poets, consisting of new music inspired by American Folk, Blues, and Afro-Caribbean musics, alongside poetry/prose inspired by the songs of historic urban street merchants who used their music to gain customers. Pepperpot will feature a collection of imaginary "portraits" of these historic, unsung chefs executed by Eric Battle. Integral to the experience is an authentic and delicious pepper pot food service organized and facilitated by Chef Valerie Erwin and presented in tandem with the performance.

Image illustrated by Eric Battle.

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