Schwemberger Photographs -- An Acquisition from the Franciscan Southwest Mission

A rare collection of historically significant photographs will be displayed at Arizona State University’s West campus from July 16 through Aug. 31. “The Schwemberger Photographs: An acquisition from the Franciscan Southwest Mission” is a collection of more than 100 compelling images of American Indian peoples, homes and landscapes dating back to 1902. The Schwemberger collection is a gift from the Franciscan Southwest Mission.

The exhibit will be on display in the IAP Art Gallery, University Center Building, and in the Fletcher Library at ASU’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix. The exhibit includes more than 100 large scale, black-and-white photographs created from rare 5-by-7-inch glass plate negatives.

The exhibit features images taken by Brother Simeon Schwemberger while he lived at St. Michaels Mission near Window Rock, Ariz. in the early 1900s. Schwemberger traveled the Navajo and Hopi reservations, photographing images of American Indian peoples, ancient pueblos and the rugged landscapes of New Mexico. He produced the images using glass plate negatives, considered state-of-the-art technology at that time.

The showing is produced by the department of Interdisciplinary Arts and Performances in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.