It Jes’ Happened

Bill Traylor’s entire life has been filled with hard work. He was born into slavery on the Traylor plantation. Bill worked in the fields with his family. After emancipation, he remained on the plantation and eventually raised his own family there. Although life was hard and money was scarce, Bill enjoyed being a part of the close-knit community. As the years passed many of Bill’s family and friends died. At eighty-one years old, Bill left the only home he’d known and moved to Montgomery, Alabama. All alone in a new city, Bill became homeless and lonely. In 1939 at eighty-four years old, he began drawing for the first time in his life. Bill unearthed a reservoir of memories he had stored away that came alive each time he drew. Bill’s sidewalk art depicted the people, places, and things he’d seen during his lifetime. He soon garnered the attention of artist Charles Shannon, who purchased art supplies for him. With the help of Shannon, Bill began showing his pieces in art exhibitions. With each exhibition, Bill’s memories and his rich heritage were shared with the world.