“Payne-ful” Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth
An Exhibit Presented by the City of Seneca in Collaboration with Clemson University
Now on display in the Louise Bell Gallery at Seneca City Hall
January 15 - March 31, 2026
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
“Payne-ful” Business: Charleston’s Journey to Truth follows Margaret Seidler’s mission to learn and process her family’s genealogical past. Using extensive research and personal experience, Seidler discusses the realities of Charleston’s racial history while highlighting the historians, journalists, and community members who work to reconcile those truths. The book features authentic, historic slave advertisements brought to life by vivid paintings by artist John W. Jones that uncover the humanity hidden beneath the detached advertisement descriptions. Seidler hopes that acknowledging a more complete truth about our past will motivate us to bridge today’s racial divide.
The City of Seneca invites you to an opening drop-in reception for an Exhibit entitled “Payne-ful Business: Charleston’s Journey to the Truth” on Thursday, February 12th, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, in the Louise Bell Gallery at Seneca City Hall, 221 E. N. First Street, Seneca, SC.
At this reception you are invited to meet Margaret Seidler, author of “Payne-ful” Business: Charleston’ Journey to Truth, and artist John W. Jones, whose paintings bring life and humanity to the enslaved identified in the book. Seidler and Jones will answer questions about the research for the book and the historic significance of its stunning artwork. The drop-in is open to the public and igned copies of the book will be available.
WYFF News 4 Coverage of Exhibit
For more information on “Payne-ful” Business, Artist John W. Jones and Author Margaret Seidler please visit their website: