This fascinating exhibition explores the friendship of two women who explored and had adventures in the Southern California desert from the late 1910s through the early 30s. They both learned the art of photography and documented the stark and beautiful desert landscape — as well as the characters who inhabited it — long before the area’s abundance of golf courses and the Coachella Music Festival. Susie was the postmaster in the then vibrant town of Mecca, and both she and Lula Mae discovered a passion for making and selling postcards. This traveling exhibition from Exhibit Envoy will be augmented by a sampling of A.O. Carpenter images from the Grace Hudson Museum’s collections. A talented professional photographer, A.O. traveled throughout Mendocino in the mid to late 1800s, documenting the landscapes, industries, and people of the region. Welcome back, physical, in-person exhibitions!
Exhibition Dates: Saturday, May 8 to Sunday, August 22, 2021
Postcards from Mecca is based on the book edited by Ann Japenga and Warner V. Graves III. The exhibit originated at the La Quinta Museum, and is traveled by Exhibiit Envoy. Presentation at the Grace Hudson Museum was made possible by the Sun House Guild and our Museum Members.
Click MUSEUM REOPENS to read more about Postcards from Mecca and the Museum’s reopening after being closed for 14 months in a May 8, 2021 article from the Ukiah Daily Journal.
Exhibition Programs:
Thursday, May 20, 3:00 to 4:00 PM
Postcards from Mecca, Virtually!
Virtual Program
Curator Alyssa Boge takes viewers on a virtual tour of this new exhibition.
Saturday, June 5, 12:00 to 2:00 PM
Postcards Family Day
Make your own postcards in a family-friendly craft activity that will take place in the Wild Gardens. All supplies provided. Free with Museum admission.
Thursday, June 24, 7:00 to 8:15 PM
Friendship, a Dumpster, & Those Darned Postcards
Virtual Program
In this virtual program, Warner Graves, Ron May, and Steve Lech — all contributors to the book, Postcards from Mecca — share stories about Lula Mae and Susie, and discuss the significance of their photographs. Click FRIENDSHIP for a feature article from the June 22, 2021 Ukiah Daily Journal.
Thursday, July 15, 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Kim Stringfellow & The Mojave Project
Virtual Program
Photographer, artist, and scholar, Kim Stringfellow joins us virtually to discuss her latest effort in exploring the physical, geological, and cultural landscape of desert lands. You’ll never look at a desert the same way! Click MOJAVE PROJECT for a feature article from the July 15, 2021 Ukiah Daily Journal.
The Artistry of Dorothea Lange
Virtual Program
Oakland Museum of California curator, Drew Johnson, gives a virtual illustrated talk on the life and artistry of Dorothea Lange, one of the most significant photographers of the 20th century. Lange traveled to the Coachella Valley in 1935 to document field workers. And like Susie Keef Smith, suffered from childhood polio. Click DOROTHEA for a brief article from the August 11, 2021 edition of the Ukiah Daily Journal.