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Behold the People: R. C. Hickman's Photographs of
Black Dallas, 1949–1961
Melba Theater by R. C. Hickman, 1955. R. C. Hickman Photographic Archive (VN 85-43-000279a). The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
"There was only one theater in downtown Dallas we were allowed to attend and that was the Majestic. Even there, we were only allowed into six or seven seats in the uppermost part of the balcony we called the 'buzzard roost.'" — R. C. Hickman
Exhibition
Behold the People: R. C. Hickman’s Photographs of Black Dallas, 1949–1961 is an exhibition by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin, presented in partnership with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
R. C. Hickman was a Dallas photographer whose thousands of images produced from 1949 to 1961 document aspects of life in an African American community in Texas. His photographs depict a community largely invisible to white Americans—thoroughly a part of mainstream America by virtue of accomplishment and lifestyle but excluded from it because of race. His images reveal his awareness of the broad community context within which individuals survive, grow and understand themselves.
Behold the People is made possible in part by a We the People grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
View the R. C. Hickman Photographic Archive online
Exhibition format
| Format: | Wall-hanging |
| Language: | English |
| Content: | 56 black-and-white photographs:
56 identification labels 2 narrative text panels 1 vinyl banner (optional) |
| Space Requirements: | 120 linear feet of wall space |
| Shipping weight and dimensions: | 2 wood crates :
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| Rental Period: | 6 weeks |
| Rental Fee*: | $1000 |
*Rental fees are based primarily on the cost of shipping. Prices may vary based on current fuel surcharges or venue location within the state of Texas. Out-of-state rentals are priced on an individual basis. Please call for a rental fee quote specific to your venue.
Print materials
A specified number of brochures and posters are provided with this exhibition at no additional cost. Additional copies of these materials may be obtained for a nominal fee:
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50 booklets featuring an essay by Barbara Jordan and selected images by R. C. Hickman
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5 posters featuring Melba Theater by R. C. Hickman
Publicity materials
Press release
| Behold the People press release | doc |
Publicity images
Publicity images are available for promoting this exhibition at your venue. Please contact the exhibitions coordinator to request an electronic file of this image.
Humanities Texas logos
Venues may request a CD with the Humanities Texas logo in a number of electronic file formats for use when developing print and and online promotional materials. Logo files are also available for download from our website.