DEE: "I’m the project manager for the Withers Collection Museum and Gallery at 333 Beale Street. I think Dr. Ernest Withers’ iconic images show more the unity of Memphis than the separation of Memphis. One of my favorite events he documented was the unveiling of the statue of St. Jude, which was a symbol of hope for our city. Nothing about it was race-based. Everybody came, including little children out of school for the day. And after the ceremony, Danny Thomas came to Handy Park and played his trumpet for the kids. The whole series of events, from the laying of the cornerstone to the unveiling of the statue, is documented by Dr. Withers as a tribute to Danny Thomas."
VELESKA: "I’m the museum manager with Withers Collection Museum and Gallery. When I think of Mr. Withers’ beautiful photographs, one particular image stands out. It was taken during voter registration in the Tent City era and pictures a young lady holding her registration card. Her name is Reecie Hunter Malone. She has just received her registration card, and the glee in her eyes --- just the excitement that Dr. Withers caught in that photograph --- is so amazing. It looks as though she’s saying, ‘I got it! I finally got it, after all we went through!’ And just the beauty of the scene --- the lacy leaves of the tree in the background, the face of the other lady standing at Reecie’s side --- it’s just one of those photographs that speaks to you. Also Ms. Malone has a gold grille across the front of her mouth. It’s so funny to see that. Kids think they’ve done something new, but things always come back around. It’s an amazing, amazing, image. I love being at the museum, and I’d love to invite anyone to come and see the beautiful works of Ernest C. Withers."
VELESKA: "I’m the museum manager with Withers Collection Museum and Gallery. When I think of Mr. Withers’ beautiful photographs, one particular image stands out. It was taken during voter registration in the Tent City era and pictures a young lady holding her registration card. Her name is Reecie Hunter Malone. She has just received her registration card, and the glee in her eyes --- just the excitement that Dr. Withers caught in that photograph --- is so amazing. It looks as though she’s saying, ‘I got it! I finally got it, after all we went through!’ And just the beauty of the scene --- the lacy leaves of the tree in the background, the face of the other lady standing at Reecie’s side --- it’s just one of those photographs that speaks to you. Also Ms. Malone has a gold grille across the front of her mouth. It’s so funny to see that. Kids think they’ve done something new, but things always come back around. It’s an amazing, amazing, image. I love being at the museum, and I’d love to invite anyone to come and see the beautiful works of Ernest C. Withers."
Image source for photo (below) of Danny Thomas, taken by Ernest Withers: http://pictorialemporium.com/products/the-withers-collection-true-saints
Image source for photo (below) of Reecie Hunter Malone, taken by Ernest Withers: http://pictorialemporium.com/products/tent-city-triumph-right-to-vote
Withers Collection Museum and Gallery, 333 Beale Street
Ph. 901-523-2344
Email for Dr. Dee Lofton: drdee@witherscollection.org
Email for Veleska Lipford: vlipford@witherscollection.org
Website: http://witherscollection.org/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/WithersCollectionMuseumGallery/
Ph. 901-523-2344
Email for Dr. Dee Lofton: drdee@witherscollection.org
Email for Veleska Lipford: vlipford@witherscollection.org
Website: http://witherscollection.org/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/WithersCollectionMuseumGallery/
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