Art Meripol, celebrated for his evocative concert photography, unveils an exhibition at the Old State House Museum, showcasing shots of music legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tina Turner, B.B. King, and Willie Nelson. The exhibit, “Music in Focus: The Lens of Art Meripol,” runs from Friday through Dec. 8, featuring 50 of Meripol’s striking images, many captured at Barton Coliseum during his tenure at the Arkansas Gazette from 1983-89.

From Instamatic to Iconic

Meripol’s journey into photography began with a Kodak Instamatic camera at age nine, a gift that unveiled his passion for capturing moments through a lens. His career path was solidified in high school, leading to a journalism degree and eventually to the Arkansas Gazette, where he and reporter Kelley Bass documented numerous concerts. Meripol’s unique ability to capture artists in intimate, revealing moments has distinguished his work, earning acclaim and a dedicated following.

The Art of the Shot

Meripol’s photographic ethos centers on capturing artists in moments of deep connection with their music and their audience. One standout photo of Tina Turner, taken during her Private Dancer Tour, epitomizes this, with Turner’s gaze seemingly following viewers around the room. Another favorite, a backlit silhouette of B.B. King, showcases Meripol’s talent for finding new angles and perspectives, setting his work apart from conventional concert photography.

Legacy and Reflection

Now 70, Meripol reflects on a career that has spanned decades, his work now celebrated in an exhibition that returns his art to Arkansas, where many of his most memorable shots were taken. The exhibition not only highlights Meripol’s contributions to photography but also pays homage to the music and musicians that defined an era. As the exhibition opens, it offers both a nostalgic journey for those who remember the concerts and an opportunity for new generations to experience the music and moments that Meripol so skillfully captured.