A Chuck Stewart Homecoming (Recently Discovered/Unseen Works)

A 1949 graduate of Ohio University, Chuck Stewart built a successful career as a much-in-demand photographer for over six decades.

From the 1950s through the turn of the Century, Chuck became a first-call photographer, eventually becoming synonymous with Jazz and popular music production.

After graduating from Ohio University, Chuck entered the military as a photographer. In addition to his “official” duties, Chuck began creating photo essays of the everyday life of soldiers. Perhaps his most significant assignment was joining the photo unit that chronicled Cold War atomic tests. 

Following his military service, Chuck entered the commercial photography scene of New York City and Chicago and soon became a preferred photographer for national Black magazines such as Jet, Ebony, and Our World and for record album covers for major jazz music labels. His work expanded over time to include the records of Latin musicians, rock musicians, and early hip-hop stars.

Dr. Cromwell’s presentation will essentially be the outline of an exhibit of never-before-seen photographic selections curated from the Stewart Archives by CEO, Kim Stewart and Dr. Cromwell. For the first time, patrons will be able to appreciate the entire creative arc of Chuck’s oeuvre — from Tucson to Ohio University to the gradual unfolding of a signal creative arc which spanned the latter half of the 20th Century.

Guest presenter Dr. Art Cromwell is an archival media specialist and visual historian.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Athens Public Library.