REGIONAL ARTISTS

Although known for significant holdings of well-known artists from the region who have secured national and international acclaim such as William Eggleston, Ernest C. Withers, and Carroll Cloar, the collection is deep across styles, periods, and media. The museum began collecting regional art in 1916—early portraits by Tennessee artist William Browning Cooper (1811-1900) and Memphian Kate Carl (ca. 1854-1938). Among some of the other artists well represented are Walter Anderson, William Christenberry, Veda Reed, Ted Faiers, Carl Gutherz, and Burton Callicott. An early effort to highlight art from the region was the First Mid-South Exhibition (1956) from which five works of art were purchased. The museum continues to add works by regional artists in all media and styles.