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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The High Ground team enjoys a 'thank you' lunch at El Mercadito de Memphis with key stakeholders in our "On the Ground: Hickory Hill" coverage, including residents and representatives from nonprofits and the Memphis Police Department. (High Ground)

Our 'see you later' to Hickory Hill

Cole BradleyFriday, December 20, 2019

Last year's VISUALS & VIBES was held at The CMPLX in Orange Mound and featured traditional gallery art alongside art forms not typically found in a gallery show. This year's event promises the same. (Christaian Williams)

Painters and fire dancers? Art show at The CMPLX promises anything but typical

Alexandria MooreWednesday, December 18, 2019

Carlos Ochoa with Ranked Choice Tennessee works from his desk in one of Wonder / Cowork / Create's small offices. (Cole Bradley)

A year with Wonder / Cowork / Create

Deborah Robertson and Cole BradleyThursday, December 12, 2019

This choreographed slap between two characters will be a powerful moment in the upcoming Black History Month skit performed by the newly formed Hickory Hill Drama Club. (AJ Dugger)

New Hickory Hill drama club prepares for 2020 Black History Month performance

A. J. Dugger IIIWednesday, December 4, 2019

UrbanArts Commission's Art + Environment Initiative funded a mural in Uptown by artist Khara Woods. Woods cataloged the litter entering the Mississippi River from the Gayoso Bayou in Uptown then depicted it in graphic form. (Cole Bradley)

Litter, Landfills, and Illegal Dumping: New murals tell the story in Uptown and Frayser

Jim ColemanWednesday, December 4, 2019

At the PRIZM Ensemble workshop, high school students have opportunities to talk with other students who are also considering music scholarships and how music will factor into their college careers and future professions. (PRIZM Ensemble)

College isn't cheap. January workshop will help teens find music scholarships and nail auditions.

Baris GursakalWednesday, December 4, 2019

Memphis Challenge's Dance-A-Thon competitors got down for a cause. Each collected pledges for donations for each minute spent dancing. (Memphis Challenge)

Memphis Challenge gets down for a cause with first ever dance-a-thon fundraiser

Chris JonesWednesday, December 4, 2019

L to R: Community Correspondents Ian Randolph, Ivy Arnold, and Monique Rials listen attentively to a conversation on journalist ethics lead by trainer, Micaela Watts. (Cat Evans)

Who tells the story? High Ground program trains Memphians to report their neighborhoods' news

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 20, 2019

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Podcast: Lifting up resident voice as Memphis neighborhoods transform

Monday, November 18, 2019

Vendors sell goods at a local farmers market. (High Ground News)

Don't just shop, shop just at Peace and Justice Art Festival this Saturday

A. J. Dugger IIIFriday, November 15, 2019

BOXLOT is a micro-retailer and music lounge located at 607 Monroe Avenue. (BOXLOT, PKM Architects)

BOXLOT showing early success, gearing up for holiday season

Chris JonesTuesday, November 12, 2019

Moziah Bridges launched his business, Mo's Bows, at the age of nine. He's now 17 with a booming business, international attention and a first book. His next step? High school graduation in 2020. (Mo's Bows)

Moziah Bridges talks bow ties, books and plans post-high school

Ashley DavisTuesday, November 5, 2019

The Belle Venue's main hall can hold between 200 and 250 people. Countless proms, weddings, family reunions and other special occasions have been held at the venue since it opened in 1972. (A.J. Dugger III)

Hidden Memphis: A step back in time at The Belle Venue

A. J. Dugger IIIWednesday, October 30, 2019

Musical artist J Buck performed on the Bring Your Soul stage at the 5th annual SoulsvilleUSA Festival. (Kim and Jim Coleman)

Fifth annual Soulsville USA Festival celebrated history and legends of iconic neighborhood

Kim and Jim ColemanThursday, October 24, 2019

Yancy Villa-Calvo and Brandon Zuber (left) discuss design elements on a working draft of the mural that will be installed on the side of Whitten Brothers Hardware in Orange Mound. (A.J. Dugger)

Teens installing Orange Mound mural with focus on history and future

A. J. Dugger IIIWednesday, October 23, 2019

Members of the Hickory Hill Senior Golf Club pose of an official club photo. (Hermon Powers)

Hickory Hill Senior Golf Club tees off for fun, friends and health

A. J. Dugger IIIWednesday, October 23, 2019

Koozies promoting the use of PrEP and The Corner are an example of the type of branded merchandise Friends for Life intends to sell in The Corner's retail area. (Friends for Life)

Opening soon, The Corner offers free HIV prevention in casual space

A.J Dugger III and Cole BradleyThursday, October 17, 2019

Members of the Playback Memphis Youth Ensemble gave their first performance at the second annual Frayser Matters event. (Playback Memphis)

Playback Memphis debuts Frayser youth theater ensemble

Baris GursakalWednesday, October 9, 2019

Auntie Round Table panelists ranged in age, careers and experience. The women discussed everything from mental health and child birth to the challenges facing female veterans and entrepreneurs. (Erica Horton)

Girl talk is health, education, careers and more at Auntie Round Table

Erica HortonWednesday, October 9, 2019

Frayser Local Arts Festival organizer Lurlynn Franklin stands next to two of five 'Welcome to Frayser' paintings. She designed the signs as paint-by-numbers and more than 700 Frayser residents had a hand in filling them in. (Arkwings Foundation)

Frayser Local Arts Festival is where to be this weekend

Baris GursakalWednesday, October 2, 2019

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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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