Shoals Music Archive Launches Historic Exhibit; Images Showcases the Dynamic Musical Heritage from the Region
Mar. 17, 2026
Michelle R. Eubanks , UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256.765.4392
FLORENCE, AL – The Shoals Music Archive, a comprehensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia that capture the dynamic and diverse musical history of North Alabama from the 19th century to the present, has unveiled its first exhibit of images and photographs detailing this distinct and notable heritage. On display to the public beginning March 20 through April 24, the exhibit is available for viewing at the Galley 126 on Tombigbee Street in downtown Florence.
“It is absolutely vital that UNA be at the heart of archiving the wide-ranging and diverse items that comprise the Muscle Shoals musical heritage,” said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. “It is an honor to launch this exhibit for our campus and greater community to enjoy and appreciate as a small but important part of what makes the Shoals such a unique place.”
The Shoals Music Archive was launched in May of 2025 as a means to gather, organize, and preserve the region’s varied musical heritage. Already, the Archive is home to scholarly research materials, photographs, and oral histories, which represent a unique cross-section of the Shoals’ musicians, recordings, and studios.
“We are thrilled with this opportunity to unveil these pivotal images in the history of Muscle Shoals Music,” said Dr. Brian Dempsey, Shoals Music Archive Curator and Associate Professor of History at UNA. “The collected works detail the rich and unique history of our area, and it celebrates the artists – from the musicians to the photographers – who continue to put this area on the map for this vital part of our past, present, and future.”
The exhibition is organized into three interconnected themes that represent the lifecycle of the region’s music.
- Theme 1: Living Traditions focuses on contemporary musicians who are carrying the Shoals sound culture forward. This section features the Musician Census, with photography by Florence resident Abraham Rowe.
- Theme 2: Creative Spaces explores the intimate environments where music is born, featuring images from the Roots of American Music Trail project. This theme uses color photography to showcase musicians in their personal studios and homes, providing a private side contrast to the more formal Census photographs.
- Theme 3: Historical Foundations captures pivotal moments, iconic venues, and legendary figures in Shoals history. This theme is anchored by the Dick Cooper Collection and features photography that establishes the region’s musical roots.
Gallery 126 is at 126 Tombigbee Street in downtown Florence; it operates Monday through Friday from 2-5 p.m. Visitors who would like to view the exhibition outside of gallery hours may contact the UNA Department of Visual Arts and Design at 256-765-4384. A gallery reception is scheduled for Friday, March 20 at 5 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
About The University of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; the Spencer College of Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: una.edu and una.edu/unaworks/.