Remembering the Memphis College of Art, 1936-2020

In May of 2020, the Memphis College of Art (MCA) graduated its last class of students, ending an illustrious eighty-four-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.

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Through this exhibition of ninety 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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While the submissions process for inclusion in the exhibition Remembering the Memphis College of Art, 1936-2020 is now closed, MCA graduates, faculty, and administrators may still showcase their work through a digital slideshow in the interactive gallery located within the exhibition. Please complete the online submission form by October 1, 2025. No submissions will be included after this date.

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Supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, the Wyeth Foundation for American Art, and The National Endowment for the Arts

Major support provided by Raymond James

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All exhibitions at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art are underwritten by the MBMA Exhibition Fund.

All exhibitions at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art are underwritten by the MBMA Exhibition Fund. Major annual support is provided by Kay Clark and Maggie and Milton Lovell, with generous annual funding from Anonymous, Gloria and Kenneth Boyland, Holly and Paul T. Combs, Deborah and Bob Craddock, Michael and Maria Douglass, Eleanor and William Halliday, Debi and Galen Havner, Buzzy Hussey and Hal Brunt, Jay and Kristen Keegan, the Doris S. and Hubert Kiersky Charitable Remainder Trust, Carl and Valerie Person, and Bill Townsend.