The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum (IPHF) is reopening next month with a bang: In honor of its 55th anniversary, the museum is unveiling “Masterworks: Highlights from the IPHF Collection,” a special exhibition showcasing more than 50 iconic images from the world’s most renowned photographers.
“These works are the very best of IPHF’s collection,” said president and CEO Patty Wente. “Some of the most recognizable and valuable prints in the exhibit include Steve McCurry’s “Afghan Girl,” Ansel Adams’ “Moonrise over Hernandez,” Edward Steichen’s portrait of Greta Garbo, and Yousuf Karsh’s iconic portrait of Winston Churchill.”
Other works on display are from photography greats such as Margaret Bourke-White, Julia Margaret Cameron, Ernst Haas, James Nachtwey, Paul Nicklen, Gordon Parks, Alfred Stieglitz, Sebastião Salgado and Jerry Uelsmann, among others.
The exhibition, which will be on view beginning Wednesday, July 8, was originally slated to open in late March but was postponed due to the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
Like most arts organizations temporarily shuttered by the pandemic, Wente says IPHF is experiencing revenue loss from visitors and difficulty securing grants. Despite the setbacks, she says the organization has been able to find new ways to reach audiences remotely by making available a 360-degree panoramic video preview of the “Masterworks” exhibit, as well as launching virtual lectures and workshops.
“As a result, we have had increased participation tenfold from all over the country, Europe and China to enhance our mission of being truly international. Memberships have also increased as a result,” she noted.
Wente adds a newly created Virtual Travel Happy Hour event has also been popular.
“At a time when travel is virtually impossible, bringing photographers who have traveled in the last year together to present to visitors online for a look around the world has been enjoyable,” she said.
The concept for the nonprofit IPHF began in 1965 with the Photographic Arts and Science Foundation, which was created to promote photographic history by inducting historically significant photographers and inventors into a Photography Hall of Fame. At the time, there was no physical structure to commemorate inductees or house the foundation’s collection. In 1977, the original Photography Hall of Fame opened as part of the University Museums at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. The museum moved to the Kirkpatrick Center in Oklahoma City in 1983.
In 2013, the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum embarked on the largest capital campaign in its history and relocated to St. Louis. It boasts 6,000 square feet of gallery and exhibition space in the Grand Center Arts District and has a permanent collection that currently includes works from more than 500 artists and innovators and approximately 2,000 cameras.
Wente says its mission extends well beyond the St. Louis community.
“Locally, we are able to share great works in person, and advance education with online lectures, workshops and events,” she said, adding that IPHF also serves those around the globe who want to broaden their cultural and historical understanding of life. “IPHF heightens the cultural understanding of our world through photography. It tells a story that is multi-lingual. Different cultures all understand what they see. It is amazing to watch how the photographs allow for a common understanding.”
When the museum reopens on July 8, special safety procedures will be in place, including limiting gallery access to 10% visitor capacity, recommending masks for visitors and requiring masks for staff, and providing hand sanitizer stations throughout the venue.
Admission to the exhibition is free for members; and $10 for non-members or $5 for seniors and students. IPHF’s reduced hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit iphf.org.
