Soul Sanctuary: Images of the African American Worship Experience captures the spiritual dimension of the Black church, as well as the pride and dignity that prevails within the church-going family. The exhibition celebrates many of the iconic images reminiscent of the traditional Black church, yet peers through the window of today’s contemporary church setting.
Photographer Jason Miccolo Johnson started a photographic odyssey in Memphis, Tennessee, that lasted ten years and produced sixteen thousand images. He journeyed from historic churches in New York City to megachurches in Dallas, and from the dusty back-roads of the Mississippi Delta to the sun-drenched communities of California. The resulting exhibition mirrors the chronological oder of the typical worship day and illustrates the commonality of the Black Christian worship experience throughout multiple denominations across 20 states.
Soul Sanctuary is organized into six themes beginning with “Preparation” and ending accordingly with the “Benediction.” Each section depicts familiar aspects of worship viewed from various vantage points around the sanctuary and includes behind-the-scenes photographs of activities that few church members rarely see, such as prayer in the pastor’s study just prior to the start of service. Contact us to book the exhibition >