September 26 – December 7, 2025
Al Clayton (June 14, 1934 – April 27, 2014)
Charlie Brown, Queen’s Make Up, 1980s
Courtesy of Al Clayton Photography, LLC
Al Clayton Photography: Lost and Found presents a special look at life in Atlanta in the 1980s through the lens of famed photographer of the urban and rural South, Al Clayton (1934 – 2014). For more about the artist, please visit: https://www.alclaytonphotography.com/about
On view in Skylight Gallery are more than 35 black and white photographs and contact sheets celebrating 80s club kids, drag performers, and the LGBTQ community. Also on view is a special selection of Clayton’s own belongings including cameras, loops, and other photography equipment giving a window into his artistic process. Included in our adjacent Hall Gallery is a selection of 7 photographs from Clayton’s never-before exhibited 1990s series “Lost Things.” These photographs are carefully arranged tableaus composed of discarded items found around Atlanta creating intricate, richly colored photographs. Taken together these photographs are an example of Clayton’s keen and thoughtful interest in those people, places, and things at the “margins” of Atlanta society. They present a tender tribute to a dynamic time in Atlanta’s history and continue OUMA’s commitment to elevating voices of the underserved. OUMA is proud to connect to community partner Lost-n-Found Youth. OUMA is grateful to the Clayton family for their generous collaboration and acknowledges with thanks the connection to the Clayton family which was made through Steven Igarashi of Atlanta Pride.
Al Clayton (June 14, 1934 – April 27, 2014)
Ru Paul, Namaste, 1980s
Courtesy of Al Clayton Photography, LLC
Curated by Elizabeth Peterson Jennings, Museum Director, and Noah Dake ’23
On view in the Skylight Gallery, OUMA
EVENTS:
Friday, September 26
Opening reception from 6 – 8 p.m., remarks at 7 p.m. Free and open to all.
Thursday, November 13
Lecture with Jennie Clayton, daughter of the artist, and special surprise guests, 7 p.m., Skylight Gallery, OUMA, $10 event admission, free for members, students, staff, faculty, alumni
Al Clayton (June 14, 1934 – April 27, 2014)
Heart, Lost Things Series, 1990s
Courtesy of Al Clayton Photography, LLC