Memphis College of Art, 1936-2020: An Enduring Legacy

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In May of 2020, the Memphis College of Art (MCA) graduated its last class of students, ending an illustrious 84-year history of contributing to the creative, economic, and cultural flourishing of the city of Memphis. In addition to being a touchstone for the regional arts community, MCA graduates ventured across the country and around the world where they nurtured their own careers as well as inspired generations of others through teaching. The college’s history is intimately tied not only to the city but
also to the Brooks Memorial Art Gallery, today the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Florence McIntyre played a role in founding both institutions, including in their organization, professionalization, and success. It is therefore fitting that the final exhibition the museum mounts in its original home in Overton Park is a celebration of its sister organization’s august history. Through this exhibition of 90 faculty, administrators, and graduates who represent the diversity associated with the institution, Remembering the Memphis College of Art, 1936-2020 highlights the school’s success in educating and fostering artists. Featured are ninety works across a range of media spanning the school’s history and is organized into groupings of faculty and their students. The
exhibition is an opportunity to reflect on the historical impact of the college as well as celebrate its continued legacy regionally and beyond.
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The exhibition includes work by Mario Bacchelli, Brin Baucum, Dale Baucum, Kim Beck, Tootsie Bell, Peter Bowman, Cynthia Bringle, Bunny Burson, Fred Burton, Burton Callicott, Karen Carrier, Nancy Cheairs, Martha Christian, Funlola Coker, Michael Coppage, Jay Crum, Beth Dary, Maritza Dávila Irizarry, Alonzo Davis, Patrick DeGuira, Carol DeForest, Don DuMont, Henry Easterwood, Thorne Edwards, Biff Elrod, Ted Faiers, Annette Fournet, Lurlynn Franklin, Moko Fukuyama, Ahmad George, Betty Gilow, Luther Hampton, Rob Hart, Adam Hawk, Michael Hayes, Randy Hayes, Pinkney Herbert, Sharon Havelka, Kyle Holland, Amy Hutcheson, Gere Kavanaugh, J. D. Kelly, Tommy Kha, Tom Lee, Phillip Lewis, James Little, Susan Maakestad, Kate Madison, John McIntire, Emily Miller, Remy Miller, Carl E. Moore, Haley Morris-Cafiero, Joe Morzuch, Floyd Newsum, Michele Noiset, Laurie Nye, George Oberteuffer, Kong Wee Pang, Fidencio Fifield Perez, Ed Perry, Melinda Eckley Posey, Richard Prillaman, Ed Rainey, Veda Reed, Sheri Fleck Rieth, Robert Riseling, Murray Riss, Ebet Roberts, Marc Rouillard, Ted Rust, Jennifer Sargent, Jeanne Seagle, Elizabeth Sheehan, Vitus Shell, Martina Shenal, Allison Read Smith, Dolph Smith, Peter Sohngen, Dorothy Sturm, Cynthia Thompson, Carroll Todd, Martha Turner, Leandra Urrutia, George Wardlaw, D'Angelo Lovell Williams, Sean Winfrey, Jill Wissmiller, Bill Womack, and Tad Lauritzen Wright.

Memphis College of Art, 1936-2020: An Enduring Legacy is guest curated by Marina Pacini, Chief Curator, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, 2002-2019.

Supported by Formanek Foundation

Sponsored by: National Endowment for the Arts, Wyeth Foundation for American Art, Anonymous, The James Lee House, Ellen and Brig Klyce, KC and Jeff Warren, Doug Carpenter + Associates, Kaywin Feldman, Jim Lutz, and the Art Now Collective.

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MCA Host Committee:Anise and Ron Belz, Kim Caldwell, Kristi and James Carmichael, Dabney Coors, Metcalf and Madeleine Crump, Pinkney and Janice Herbert, Martha and Michael Hess, Milton and Maggie Lovell, Simone and Logan Meeks, Suzanne and Jon Scharff, Henry Turley and Wanda Shea, KC and Jeff Warren, Tate and Webb Wilson, Carissa Hussong and David Lusk, Fatima and James Little, Angie and Will Deupree, Brooke and Alan Balducci, Kristen and Jay Keegan, Sherri and Kevin Kimery, Kerry Jackson and Kathy Fish, Barbara and Pitt Hyde

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All exhibitions at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art are underwritten by the MBMAExhibition Fund. Major annual support is provided by Kay Clark and Maggie and Milton Lovell, with generous annual funding from Anonymous, Irene and Ron Ayotte, Gloria and Kenneth Boyland, Deborah and Bob Craddock, Debi and Galen Havner, Sally Hergenrader, James R. Humphreys, Jay and Kristen Keegan, the Doris S. and Hubert Kiersky Charitable Remainder Trust, Carl and Valerie Person, Susan and James Edelman, and Bill Townsend.

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The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is is excited to present Memphis College of Art, 1936-2020: An Enduring Legacy as part of the 2026 Tennessee Triennial, an initiative celebrating the work of contemporary artists and highlighting the strength and diversity of Tennessee’s visual art scene. The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is  is proud to join a consortium of museums and galleries contributing to this statewide celebration including the Frist Art Museum, the Knoxville Museum of Art, and the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga.

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James Lee House is not only a supporter of the exhibition, it was once home to the Memphis College of Art.

Planning your stay? Use code MCA2026 for $250/night on any available suite at The James Lee House (plus applicable taxes).