Arts & Culture

Nokomis McElroy stands for a portrait in Orange Mound. (Andrea Morales)

Nokomis McElroy stands for a portrait in Orange Mound. (Andrea Morales) Andrea Morales

From Stax Records to social media, two generations of Black arts leaders support the scene Read Article

While birthed in different eras, The Collective and The Memphis Black Arts Alliance face the similar strifes from combating generational poverty in disinvested communities and having to navigate and engage artists in a city where arts infrastructure is in its infancy.

Youth programming at the Memphis Black Arts Alliance. (MBAA)

Photo: Youth programming at the Memphis Black Arts Alliance. (MBAA)

Brandon Marshall painting a recent temporary mural at the Crosstown strip.

Brandon Marshall painting a recent temporary mural at the Crosstown strip. Averell Mondie

Musical Heights: A neighborhood's forgotten role in the history of one of pop's most famous studios Read Article

In a nondescript store front on National Street, some of the 20th century's biggest music stars once worked. Discover the one-time Heights recording studio that played a major role in garage rock, soul, and heavy metal and laid the groundwork for one of Memphis' most enduring musical ...

Ardent recordings opened in 1966 at the intersection of National and Bayliss, catty corner from the Sweden Kream that still stands today.

Photo: Ardent recordings opened in 1966 at the intersection of National and Bayliss, catty corner from the Sweden Kream that still stands today.

The intersection of art and urban planning makes Memphis 3.0 a multimedia strategy Read Article

Three Memphis-based artists are engaged in the comprehensive Memphis 3.0 planning process. Through art, they engage with residents and bring down to the earth lofty urban planning concepts such as livability, connectivity and sustainability.

Alex Greene, Yancy Villa Calvo, and Neili Jones at the Urban Art Commission offices. (Houston Cofield)

Photo: Alex Greene, Yancy Villa Calvo, and Neili Jones at the Urban Art Commission offices. (Houston Cofield)

Soulsville artists in residence combine creativity with community outreach Read Article

As the home of legendary Stax Records, Soulsville is known as Memphis' music-first neighborhood. As part of a unique artists-in-residency program, a muralist and filmmaker have moved into the neighborhood to encourage creativity among their neighbors.

Kalimah Abioto features a clip from her film “Vulnerable: Street Interviews”

Photo: Kalimah Abioto features a clip from her film “Vulnerable: Street Interviews” Rachel Warren

Opera Memphis awards first McCleave Fellowship to local director Read Article

Dennis Whitehead Darling is the inaugural fellow of the McCleave Project, an initiative of the opera company to bring a focus on diversity and inclusion to the genre.

Dennis Whitehead Darling is the inaugural fellow of the McCleave Project, an initiative of the opera company to bring a focus on diversity and inclusion to the genre.

Photo: Dennis Whitehead Darling is the inaugural fellow of the McCleave Project, an initiative of the opera company to bring a focus on diversity and inclusion to the genre.

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901 Day Exposure event returns to in-person celebration, Sept 1

Cole BradleyWednesday, August 11, 2021

Monterrion Webber makes a cup of coffee for a patron of Cxffeeblack at the Anti-Gentrification Coffee Club #1, located at 751 National Street in The Heights. (Ziggy Mack)

Cxffeeblack serves its brew with a side of history and anti-gentrification

Meghan AslinThursday, July 29, 2021

A sign on the windows of Inspire Community Cafe thanks passing customers driving on Sam Cooper Boulevard for their support. (Forever Ready Productions)

Destination Eats: From cafes to fine dining, Binghampton has it all

Cole BradleyThursday, July 15, 2021

A view of Northside High School in Klondike, which closed their doors in 2016. (Andrea Morales)

Public invited to help reimagine Northside High School, virtual meeting on July 14

Cole BradleyWednesday, July 14, 2021

My Cup of Tea is hosting a design contest for a new flavor of custom teas. The organization is seeking design proposals from Black artists who have a connection to Orange Mound. (Submitted)

My Cup of Tea issues call for Black artists with ties to Orange Mound for package design contest

Sarah RushakoffThursday, July 8, 2021

A mural adorns a retaining wall behind Treadwell elementary and middle schools in The Heights. (Ziggy Mack)

UrbanArt Commission sponsors first public art project focused on written storytelling

Cole BradleyThursday, July 8, 2021

Silhouettes line the National Street median. Each one represents a pedestrian who was killed by a vehicle strike in Shelby County in 2020. The installation will be displayed through the month of July. (Submitted)

Memphis pedestrian deaths sit at record high; art installation urges drivers to slow down

Leigh TatumWednesday, July 7, 2021

New vegan festival and Juneteenth Shop Black Festival will hit Fourth Bluff, June 19 and 20

Sarah RushakoffThursday, June 10, 2021

Playback Memphis is hosting a special BIPOC Memphis Matters performance for ensemble actors and audience members who identify as Black, indigenous, and people of color. (Playback Memphis)

Playback Memphis to host virtual theater show for BIPOC audience June 12, honoring Juneteenth

Cole BradleyThursday, June 10, 2021

Jani Radhakrishnan gives a talk at a previous TEDxMemphis event on the topic "From 'What do you do for work?' to 'What’s your story?'" (Submittted)

Speakers wanted for 2021 TEDxMemphis

Sarah RushakoffThursday, June 3, 2021

An employee of La Michoacana ice cream and paleta shop serves up a fruit cup with tajin. (Forever Ready Productions)

High Ground's "Still Serving" series is expanding

Cole BradleyThursday, June 3, 2021

A family picks up activity sheets and grab-and-go craft kits at the North Branch Library. The kids are part of Memphis Public Libraries' strategy for helping kids with learning and literacy from home during the pandemic. (Memphis Library Foundation)

Memphis libraries' expanded programs promise a summer of fun

Sarah RushakoffThursday, May 20, 2021

Virtual "Future of Food" lunch hour event will discuss equity in Memphis restaurant industry

Sarah RushakoffThursday, May 13, 2021

On the greensward at Overton Park, members of the Central High School band take a few extra minutes to practice their parts as the rest of the band wraps up practice behind them. May 2021. (Cole Bradley)

The parks are packed as Memphians look to work and play safely

Chris Jones & Cole BradleyThursday, May 13, 2021

Young musicians with PRIZM Ensemble practice their skills pre-pandemic. Registration is open for their 2021 summer camp, which will be held June 21 through July 9. (Submitted)

PRIZM Ensemble's 2021 summer camps will be held in person and virtual; registration open

Sarah RushakoffWednesday, May 5, 2021

Belinda Kerusch dances with the Hollywood Showliners in the parking lot of the Hollywood Community Center during the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Sarah Rushakoff)

Just keep dancing. My advice after 60 years of moving to the groove.

Belinda KeruschThursday, April 29, 2021

COVID-inspired art by Michael Newman Jr. The Arts Cafe will present "What's Your COVID Story?," a visual and spoken word arts exhibit, on April 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Submitted)

Artists from Riverview-Kansas neighborhood will showcase their pandemic stories, April 24

Sarah RushakoffTuesday, April 20, 2021

Destination Eats: University District is a smart choice for good food

Cole BradleyWednesday, April 14, 2021

April 11 virtual lecture will explore college culture and clashes over Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Sarah RushakoffThursday, April 8, 2021

Architect Mario Walker won first prize in the competition to imagine new uses for the historic Highland Heights United Methodist Church. The contest is part of an effort to save the church from demolition. (Emily Holmes, Heights CDC)

Design contest casts vision for renovation and reuse of historic church at risk for demolition

Leigh TatumTuesday, March 30, 2021

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Memphis is a rich with authentic arts and culture assets. From the thriving music industry with deep roots in every important American genre to arts districts blossoming from Broad Avenue to Soulsville, Memphis' creative talents are not left in the history books. The city is home to a nationally acclaimed professional ballet company, opera and symphony orchestra and new galleries and collectives that are bringing the city's latest generation of artists into greater recognition.

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