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

This richly illustrated catalog accompanies the landmark exhibition Memphis College of Art, 1936–2020: An Enduring Legacy, on view February 25 – September 2026 at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

Marking the close of the Memphis College of Art’s 84-year history, this publication honors the institution’s profound impact on the creative, cultural, and educational life of Memphis and beyond. From 1936 to its final graduating class in 2020, MCA shaped generations of artists, designers, and educators whose influence continues to resonate regionally, nationally, and internationally.

In addition to featuring ninety works across a wide range of media, the catalog includes essays that examine the history of Memphis College of Art, its founding, its deep ties to the Brooks, and its lasting legacy. These texts provide historical context and critical reflection, offering insight into the school’s role in shaping the artistic landscape of Memphis and beyond.

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.

Guest curated by Marina Pacini, former Chief Curator of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (2002–2019), this catalog serves as both a historical record and a celebration — honoring the artists, educators, and visionaries who shaped an enduring legacy.

Details:

• Published by the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

• Full-color exhibition catalog

• Includes scholarly essays on the history and impact of Memphis College of Art

• Features 90 artists spanning faculty, administrators, and alumni

• Celebrates the 84-year legacy of the Memphis College of Art

• Signed copies feature a handful of exhibition artists