Al Smith Exhibit

Seattle's Mohai Museum---Museum of History and Industry alongside lovely Lake Union has a terrific photographic exhibit going on now until the 18th...information on it here
  "Al Smith 's photography captured everyday moments of Black Pride in the 1940's and 50's.  Seattle's African Americans were forging a new community and identity amid raging population growth and increasing discrimination  Al's photographs provide insights into a community that had been largely excluded by the rest of the city.  They document an important part of Seattle history."
   I have included only a few of my favorite images....he had many images for the early Seattle Jazz scene including ones of Ernastine Anderson, Ray Charles and of Lionel Hampton.  Many speak easy pictures and club scenes as well as family life in the Central district of Seattle.....dinner gatherings, funerals, and many many just ordinary folks...many of them still unidentified.   It's a truly beautiful exhibet that everyone should have the opportunity to see.  Classrooms of children should have field trips to see this part of Seattle's largely  unknown history!  
    I've included a shot of his first camera and another statement about how little coverage was ever done about his images .  In the collage on the upper left is Al Smith with one of his cameras and on the far right is one of Al and singer activist Paul Robson.  Also I put in a few I loved.
  Again I thank you for all the commenting etc. on my recent immature bald eagle :)  thanks