MEMPHIS, TENN.- Kevin Sharp, Linda W. and S. Herbert Rhea Director of the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, plans to retire after 19 years in the position. Sharp will continue leading the museum and 17-acre garden through the summer of 2027, or until his successor is found, thus ensuring a thoughtful transition in Dixon leadership.

Sharp joined the Dixon in 2007 as the sixth director in the museum’s now 50-year history.

“It has been a privilege to lead the Dixon for almost 20 years, but it’s time to turn the reins over to a new generation of museum leadership,” said Sharp. “I cannot imagine having served a finer institution than the Dixon and a greater and more supportive community than Memphis.”

During his tenure at the Dixon, Sharp has strengthened every aspect of the museum's mission, including expanding the Dixon's collections, organizing internationally recognized exhibitions, improving the Dixon’s world-renowned gardens, and expanding community engagement. Under his leadership, the Dixon acquired more than 600 works of fine and decorative art, significantly enriching one of the Mid-South's premier collections of French and American Impressionism and modern art, and championed the elimination of admission fees.

“Kevin's commitment to excellence strengthened every part of the Dixon and positioned the museum for continued success,” said Amanda Goetze, Chair of the Dixon Gallery and Gardens Board of Trustees. “We are deeply grateful for his service and look forward to celebrating his remarkable legacy. ”

Before joining the Dixon, Sharp served as: research curator at the Art Institute of Chicago; curator of American Art at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, FL; director of Visual Arts at Cedarhurst in Mt. Vernon, IL. As an internationally respected scholar of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century French and American art, Sharp has been responsible for organizing more than sixty exhibitions throughout his career and has authored or contributed to over 30 books and exhibition catalogues.