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Renaissance Jack: The Work of Jack Stoddart - Hippies, Hill People & Other Southern Marvels

Presented by Tennessee State Museum at Tennessee State Museum

November 13, 2009-January 3, 2010

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Renaissance Jack: The Work of Jack Stoddart – Hippies, Hill People & Other Southern Marvels, an exhibition of compelling photography and video images, created over several decades by nationally known Tennessee photographer Jack Stoddart marks the debut presentation of the Plateau Collection, a series of black-and-white, sepia-toned photographs recently acquired for the State Museum’s permanent collection, which represent the life of subsistence farmers, beginning with the decade of the 1970s.

Known as an “old-school” photographer, Stoddart uses archival silver gelatin prints, traditionally processed by the artist in his studio darkroom. Many of the exhibition images are custom-toned or hand- tinted by Stoddart. Stoddart, who moved his family to Middle Tennessee in 1972, captured a now-vanishing way of rural life in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. A long-time resident of the area, he personally knew his subjects, and, in spite of the stereotypical views of the time, which depicted his community as impoverished and ignorant, Stoddart found beauty in the simplicity and strong work ethic of the residents’ everyday life. He was granted the rare opportunity to document the daily activities of the Muddy Pond Mennonite Community, where his family shopped at the co-operative grocery.

In 2006, the Stoddart clan began hosting an annual Americana music festival on the family farm, aptly entitled, Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s. In 2008, the music festival expanded into a series of Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s performances, featuring original singer-songwriters in the Americana, Bluegrass, Roots, Folk and Blues genres. The series is currently broadcast on PBS affiliate WCTE-TV in Middle Tennessee and in Nashville and 130 other PBS affiliates across the country. Sessions are recorded at two locations: the outdoor venue, 'Sundown Stage', on Stoddart’s Cumberland Plateau family farm and at the State Museum's Buffalo Bill Stage in downtown Nashville.

Visitors who attend the exhibition will be able to view previously taped performances from the televised Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s series. The public is invited to attend the free upcoming TV tapings and to visit the exhibit of Stoddart’s work during taping intermissions. On the evening of November 20, Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s will feature ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and Grammy-nominee Darrell Scott with musician Kenny Malone. Audience members attending the December 18 taping will hear the music of Grammy-winning, country/folk, multi-instrumentalist Tim O'Brien. Both performances begin at 6:00pm at the museum and are free and open to the public.

The exhibition continues through January 3, 2010 at the State Museum. The museum will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.