UPDATE: Concerned Macon church leaders holding news conference about ‘Preacher Pimp’ painting

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Several frustrated church leaders are addressing a controversial painting at the Tubman Museum.

Staff at Macedonia Church in Macon confirmed leaders are holding a news conference Saturday at 10 a.m. in front of the Tubman in response to the “Preacher Pimp” painting, part of the museum’s ‘Black Artists of Georgia’ exhibit.

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Tubman Museum leaders announced Friday they aren’t taking down the ‘Preacher Pimp’ painting that’s causing some concern among local pastors in Macon.

The painting, part of the Black Artists of Georgia exhibit, was painted by Alfred Conteh. It’s part of a series entitled the “Pimp Series” where Conteh wanted to illustrate different paintings based on the book “The Pimp Bible” written by Alfred Gholson.

“This museum is named in honor of Harriet Tubman. Did Harriet Tubman endure some hardships? Yes, she did,” Jeff Bruce, the museum’s curator, says. 

He and executive director Andy Ambrose aren’t budging. 

“We will not censor exhibitions in response or ideological pressure,” Ambrose says. 

After meeting with the museum’s board, the two decided they’re not taking down the painting in the exhibit.

“Its intention is to display some of the diverse works of art that we have in our collection created by African-American artists with ties to Georgia,” Ambrose says. 

This week, several church leaders, including Union Baptist Church Pastor David Stanley, Sr., were concerned about the painting’s message. 

The painting talks about the preacher’s request for money and in turn getting rich. 

“Those two words put together is unsettling to a lot of people and that’s as far as they get,” Bruce says. 

He says everyone is entitled to their own opinion. 

“For anybody who is offended by this particular piece, you are not wrong. If that is your interpretation of the piece, you are not wrong,” Bruce says. 

He adds it’s important to understand the painting is one of 40 pieces in the exhibit and removing the work could begin a slippery slope. 

“Once you cross that line, you can’t uncross it. You can’t get that back. You can’t say well, we’re going to do this for you because we love you and respect you so much but then the next person comes along we’re going to say no,” Bruce says. 

Stanley tells 41NBC he and others part of the concerned group are going to “chill” out for now. He says they’re issuing a statement for next week. 

Tubman’s board of directors unanimously voted to keep the painting up until the exhibit comes down in January.