The South Side Community Art Center recently held an opening reception for "The Promised Land," a new exhibition featuring photography by 11 artists.

The new exhibit features images and photography created by 11 different artists who have connections to both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, according to the Art Center.

The Great Migration was one of the largest migrations in the history of the United States and was known by that name. Cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York and Pittsburgh were completely transformed between the years 1916 and 1970 as a result of it. During this time period, Chicago was referred to as the "Promised Land," and it welcomed almost half a million black people from the South.

Black people living south of the Mason-Dixon line heard stories about life in large cities like Chicago, where they could find jobs that paid a decent wage, live in homes with running water, and enjoy other fundamental liberties that were not available to them in the South. As a result, many of these Black people decided to move to Chicago. Photographers such as Gordon Parks, Florestine Perrault Collins and Moneta Sleet Jr., among others, were able to capture images of life during the Great Migration, making it the most well-documented movement of people in the history of the United States. This migration was known as "The Great Migration."

The work of contemporary artists and image makers reflects a reaction to these groups of people and the movements they participated in. Lawrence Ageyi, Billie Carter-Rankin, Loren Toney and Jen Everett, along with a number of other artists, are among those whose work is showcased in the exhibition.