Thomas Dorsey Exhibition opens at Southwest Arts Center

As part of their 40th Anniversary Celebration, Fulton County Arts & Culture is presenting a collection of family portraits by renowned photographer Thomas Dorsey. The exhibition entitled Pride, dignity, and togetherness features notable Atlanta families including those of Andrew Young, Hank Aaron, Ed Spriggs and Marvin Arrington, Sr. This special exhibition will be on view from October 30 through November 14 at the Southwest Arts Center Gallery, 915 New Hope Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30331. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission to the exhibition is free and open to the public.

“We believe the arts are essential to the social, spiritual, and intellectual health of our communities,” states Lionell Thomas, Director of Fulton County Arts & Culture. “In honoring the legacy of renowned family portrait photographer Thomas Dorsey, we also honor all of our diverse Fulton County families. We invite them to come to see these inspiring images during this very special exhibition.”

Thomas Dorsey was born in Augusta, GA, but grew up in Chicago, IL. After a four-year stint in the Air Force, he worked at the Post Office for a decade. Then he became interested in art and pursued a degree in Fine Art from the Art Institute of Chicago. He fell in love with photography which led him to start a business with his wife centered on family portraiture. He believed that the unique institution of family is the very foundation of our moral and social values. During the next 32 years he made a name for himself beginning in Chicago, and then in Atlanta, by taking photos of families in their homes. The Pride, dignity and togetherness: The Legacy of Tom Dorsey exhibition showcases selected photos of prominent African American families from Fulton County and Chicago taken between 1978 and 2002.

“I cannot say how one should view these images, but the title reflects the positive potential of the human spirit I saw every time I was given the opportunity to trip the shutter!” Thomas Dorsey

Fulton County Arts & Culture is celebrating 40 years of creative leadership, improving and enhancing the lives of Fulton County residents and visitors through the arts. Their mission is to ensure all citizens have access to the arts for the passion they inspire, the quality of life they afford, and the economic impact they make in the community. FCAC provides broad access to arts programming including classes and free performances at their six community Arts Centers; generous support for area artists and arts organizations through Contracts for Services arts funding; outreach through their numerous community partnerships; and diverse public art experiences through the Fulton County Public Art Program. For more information visit: fultonarts.org.

Media Contact: Karen Hatchett, karen@hatchettpr.com