Photography curator at the Chrysler Museum leaves post

NORFOLK

After 28 years as photography curator at the Chrysler Museum of Art, Brooks Johnson, as of today, no longer works at the museum.

Bill Hennessey, director of the museum, gathered the staff this morning and announced Johnson’s sudden departure, according to sources close to the museum. He did not explain further, or say whether Johnson was fired or resigned, the sources said.

Neither Hennessey nor Johnson could be reached for comment.

Robert Rubin of Norfolk, who ended his eight years on the museum’s board in June, said he received an e-mail Friday morning from Hennessey notifying him of Johnson’s departure.

“It really is a disappointment,” Rubin said. “He’s made such a contribution to the museum.”

Johnson has worked at the Norfolk museum for the entire history of its 30-year-old photography collection. He started at the museum in 1977, at age 23, as a staff photographer and became curator of photography in 1980.

Johnson has almost single-handedly built the museum’s collection into a nationally noted resource. He staged exhibitions of internationally known photographers, produced catalogs and landed national press. He also cultivated donors for his projects.

He combed through 100 years of local photojournalism for his 2006 show, “A Century of Great Photography From The Virginian-Pilot.” Other popular exhibitions featured celebrity portraits by the likes of Cecil Beaton and James Abbe and documentary photos by Life magazine legend Gordon Parks and Look magazine veteran Bob Lerner.

About a year ago, Johnson’s job expanded to include 21st century art.

“I think he’s been instrumental in building one of the nation’s top photography collections, from nothing,” said Tom Moore, curator of photography at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News.

“The collection really does show all the technical and artistic advancements in photography from the last 150 years. I think he’s had the foresight to collect the best of the best,” Moore said.

“I would almost like to say he’s irreplaceable, in terms of the contacts he’s made. When you try to create a program like this, it takes years and years to create a foundation and a support group you can rely on.

“I think he’s done a tremendous job of finding support for photography and for the Chrysler Museum.”

Teresa Annas, (757) 446-2485, teresa.annas@pilotonline.com