Smithsonian and Getty Research Institute Acquire Historic JPC Archive
Ebony and Jet magazines were considered the social media of the 20th century for the Black community. They kept the communities of color informed and much of it was done through pictures. Now, those photographs are getting a second life thanks to a multi-million-dollar purchase that will let the images live on forever.
A Story Told Through Pictures
Roy Lewis, 85, has been capturing images and telling stories through his camera lens for years. He began working at the Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) in Chicago in 1956, where he produced images for Negro Digest, Jet and Ebony magazines, which were the pioneers in storytelling for black households around the country. Within the pages of those magazines, photographers like Lewis made history and now their camera film rolls will live on after the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Getty Research Institute acquired the historic JPC archive.
The Collection
The collection includes photos, negatives, and contact sheets spanning more than seven decades. Part of the $30 million collection can be seen at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Spirit in the Dark exhibition. The images showcase black life through historical figures in entertainment, religion, and politics and each camera flash reveals music, activism, and pop culture, all connected by common themes. The exhibit also includes treasures such as the typewriter used to transcribe notes for Malcolm X and Little Richard’s coveted bible.
Regular People in Focus
Smithsonian curator Aaron Bryant stated that while the collection features a number of photos of famous and widely known individuals in Black history, many of the images will focus on just regular people. He believes it’s important for people, particularly young people, to be able to see themselves reflected in the history that the photographs document. The magazines also hold a special place in the hearts of many, providing a generational connection within families.
Reliving Passion Through Pictures
The passion for Ebony and Jet magazines can now be relived thanks to the images captured in the lens. The images serve as a reminder of the important role these magazines played in sharing history and connecting the black community. The bulk of the archives is currently in the process of being digitized in Chicago, and the museum has not yet released specific plans on how they will be presented to the public. However, the millions of photos will soon be made available to the public, including the work of Roy Lewis, who continued his work in photography and film after leaving JPC in 1968.
For Lewis, the exhibit is a reminder of his part in sharing history. As the millions of photos come back into frame, Lewis’ work will likely be among them. He considers it a real big deal to have several pages of photos in Ebony magazine and it holds a special place in his heart. The magazines and the images captured within them will continue to captivate millions of people, thanks to the power of an image.
In conclusion, the acquisition of the JPC archive by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Getty Research Institute is a significant event in preserving the history of the Black community. The images captured within the pages of Ebony and Jet magazines provide a glimpse into the lives, struggles, and passions of a community and will continue to inspire future generations.
FAQ
1. What is the JPC archive?
The JPC archive is a collection of photos, negatives, and contact sheets from the Johnson Publishing Company, which produced Negro Digest, Jet, and Ebony magazines in the mid-1940s. These magazines were the pioneers in storytelling for black households around the country and the archive includes images spanning more than seven decades.
2. Who acquired the JPC archive?
The JPC archive was acquired by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Getty Research Institute.
3. What is the Spirit in the Dark exhibition?
The Spirit in the Dark exhibition is a showcase of part of the $30 million JPC archive collection that can be seen at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The images in the exhibition showcase black life through historical figures in entertainment, religion, and politics and each camera flash reveals music, activism, and pop culture, all connected by common themes.
4. What is the significance of the JPC archive acquisition?
The acquisition of the JPC archive is significant because it preserves the history of the Black community and the images captured within the pages of Ebony and Jet magazines provide a glimpse into the lives, struggles, and passions of a community. The images will continue to inspire future generations.
5. When will the JPC archive be made available to the public?
The bulk of the JPC archive is currently in the process of being digitized in Chicago, and the museum has not yet released specific plans on how they will be presented to the public. However, the millions of photos will soon be made available to the public.
In conclusion, the JPC archive is a valuable resource for understanding the history of the Black community and the acquisition of the archive by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Getty Research Institute will ensure that these images continue to inspire future generations.
XDFINISH
