Mississippians
On view is a small portion of material from the collection of the late Oxford resident and beloved bohemian, Ron Shapiro. Affectionately known as "Ronzo", Shapiro was born in St. Louis, Missouri and made his way to Oxford after his military service during the Vietnam War. He was running a movie theater in Wyoming, when a girlfriend attending the University of Mississippi convinced him to move to Oxford in the 1970s.
A champion of the arts, Shapiro took it upon himself to provide an alternative entertainment option to the existing mainstream cinema. He found an old building, renovated it, and created the Hoka Theater, showing independent films until it closed in 1997. Many of the items on display appeared on the walls of the Hoka.
![assorted ephemera, including ticket stubs and VIP credentials from concerts, and issue of Oxford Town featuring Shapiro on the cover.](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2727.width-500.jpg)
Assorted ephemera from the Ron Shapiro collection includes ticket stubs and VIP credentials from concerts.
Shapiro appeared on the cover of Oxford Town on November 3, 2018.
![poster for reggae artist Ras Cloud and the Sons of Selassia with extra special guest Chromatics, on Sun. Apr. 9 at New Daisy on Beale Street (Memphis), year unknown.](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2730.width-500.jpg)
![Poster for concert at Proud Larry's featuring "World Beat Masters David Lindley and Hani Naser, Thus. Sept 22", year unknown.](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2729.width-500.jpg)
![poster for the Down Home Gospel Family Reunion II at the Lee County Agri-Center, July 23-24, year unknown. Featuring Lee Williams and the Spiritual Q.C.'s, Doc McKenzie and the Gospel Hi-Lites, the Williams Brothers, Rev. Andrew Chearis and the Songbirds, George Dean and the Gospel Four, and others.](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2731.width-500.jpg)
![poster for Ray Lamontagne concert with Tristan Prettyman at the Tabernacle (Atlanta), December 9, 2006](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2735.width-500.jpg)
![head shot of fife and drum musician Othar Turner (2003); poster for 16th annual Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival honoring Muddy Waters and Otha Turner, Clarksdale MS, August 8-9, 2003 ; flier for Vox Artist Series: An Evening with Barry Hannah with special guest Glenray Tutor and music by Tate Moore. Tuesday, December 1 [2009] @ Off Square Books in Oxford. Doors open at 6:00, Program begins at 7:00, $4.00 donation at the door.](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2737.width-500.jpg)
(L to R:) head shot of fife and drum musician Othar Turner (2003); poster for 16th annual Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival honoring Muddy Waters and Otha Turner, Clarksdale MS, August 8-9, 2003; flier for Vox Artist Series: An Evening with Barry Hannah with special guest Glenray Tutor and music by Tate Moore. Tuesday, December 1 [2009] @ Off Square Books in Oxford. Doors open at 6:00, Program begins at 7:00, $4.00 donation at the door.
![postcards include Blind Lemon Jefferson as a young man, the Tower bridge in London, and architecture from Barcelona (Spain).](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2732.width-500.jpg)
![Postcards include Frida Kahlo, a Hindu deity, Kurt Cobain, a lotus flower ("a lotus for you, a Buddha to be"), John Coltrane, and Bob Marley's One Love Peace Concert in 1978. Also included: bumper sticker from Southern Foodways Alliance, "Make Cornbread Not War"](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2740.width-500.jpg)
![four bumper stickers, clockwise: 1) Free Tibet, 2) Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog -- Dorothy, 3) Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car, 4) Make cornbread not war (Southern Foodways Alliance)](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2738.width-500.jpg)
![paper hand fans, each featuring a prominent blues artist from the roster of Fat Possum Records: R. L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough](https://exhibit-production-digitalcommons.s3.amazonaws.com/images/IMG_2741.width-500.jpg)
Paper hand fans provided by Fat Possum Records for the North Mississippi Hill County Picnic, year unknown
(L to R) R. L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough