Mississippi Museum of Art Surveys Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985

The "Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955–1985" exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson showcases the work of more than 100 photographers. This extensive display is open from July 25 to November 8, 2026. Featured pieces include a variety of works, such as mixed-media social critiques, self-portraits, and both editorial and commercial photography, all challenging the racism of the Jim Crow era. Notable highlights are Ralph Arnold's 1968 collage "Above This Earth, Games, Games," Ernest Withers's famous image of the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers' strike, and Ming Smith's vibrant 1978 photo of Sun Ra. The exhibition is framed by a quote from civil rights activist Julian Bond, who noted photography's power to showcase resilience and the hope for a world free from racism.