(MURFREESBORO) On a July day in 1935, Richard Claude Shacklett walked into Leo Ferrell’s Photography shop and asked if there was anything he could do. Mr. Ferrell, one of our community’s early photographers, offered Shacklett a job processing roll film. Sometime between 1936 and 37, at the age of 16, Shacklett became a local photographer creating and documenting some of the most memorable images of Rutherford County in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Beginning December 7th starting with a reception from 6-7pm and running through January 4, 2022, there will be an exhibition of rare images by Richard Shacklett in the Gallery at Washington Theatre at Patterson Community Center. Original hand-tinted landscapes and other unique photographs from the 1940’s through the 1970’s will be on display.
By 1938, he was an independent businessman operating out of the old James K. Polk Hotel building. Richard (“Dick”) Claude Shacklett, a man of many talents, was known to his legions of friends as a man for all seasons. Notable is the official seal of Rutherford County affixed on every Rutherford County vehicle, the Rutherford County parking garage, and the Judicial Building. His deep love for this County flows in Mr. Shacklett’s original design. His spirit for recording the history for future generations will be honored throughout the month of December.
During his lifetime and profession, Dick Shacklett captured thousands of one-of-a-kind images. He was more than a professional photographer, his sensitivity and passion extended way beyond his brief 73 years into another generation inspiring countless family and friends. It is his zeal for recording and documenting the history for the future lives has long outlived him. Without a doubt in Mr. Shacklett’s lifetime, this generous soul used his mechanical genius to capture the natural world.
His unique ability together with his favorite camera, the Speed Graphic, coupled with many hours of patience and fortitude, created some of the most breathtaking images in wildlife of the 1950’s— “Mallard Ducks in Flight”, “The Buck”, and of course, “Strike”, a rainbow trout hitting a fly. In 1952, “Strike” received national recognition by taking first place in Lucerne, Switzerland at the World Exposition of Photography. All these treasures will be featured in the exhibition.
Join Shacklett’s Photography and Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation at Patterson Community Center in the Washington Gallery, Tuesday evening December 7, 6-7 pm for a reception and the opening of the exhibition honoring the life and legacy of Richard C. Shacklett. The exhibition continues until January 4th, 2022.
