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Description
Step behind the scenes with C. Rose Smith, Assistant Curator of Photography at your art museum, for a compelling exploration of the Hooks Brothers Studio collection—an extraordinary archive of over 75,000 photographs spanning 80 years of Memphis history. Captured by the Hooks Brothers, this visual legacy tells a story of Black life in Memphis that is as personal as it is profound. Described by donors Andrea and Rodney Herenton in The New York Times as “a priceless inheritance,” the collection includes everything from formal portraits to everyday snapshots—offering a rarely documented perspective of Black joy, fashion, family, and community.
Smith, a native Memphian with extensive experience in photography collections across Boston, Rochester, and Atlanta, has been working alongside imaging specialist Lauren Killingsworth to carefully catalogue and preserve this culturally vital collection. Join us for a conversation about the process of preservation, the power of photography, and why this collection matters—not just to Memphis, but to the broader understanding of Black American identity.
Celebrate Memphis history and the artistry of everyday life—reserve your ticket today and witness this “priceless inheritance” up close.
Date & Time
Sun, Dec 14, 2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Venue Details
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
1934 Poplar AvenueMemphis, Tennessee 38104
