In addition to his Seattle jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took many photos of family and friends in the city's Black community. Here, Smith photographs a group of friends enjoying themselves at a house party.

MOHAI’s 2022 Curator’s Fellow Brittney Frantece explored the photographs in the Al Smith Collection for how they demonstrate Black worldbuilding in Seattle. Looking at this photograph, Frantece offered the following analysis:

Al Smith shows us worldbuilding and other Black worlds by demonstrating the intimate ways of being with friends and family, enjoying the beauty of life. In his photographs, we see closeness and bonding. We see and can experience the love and care that is shared in this moment. House parties continued to be a way for Black communities in Seattle to remain close while Black population was increasing. The house parties had a tradition, people were monthly regulars to stay involved in the community and brought newcomers to Seattle to welcome them into the close-knit community.

In this 5x7”, black and white photograph, we see friends gathered around enjoying each other on a couch, circa 1943. Though they seem to pose for the camera and they are all in front of the camera, they don’t just focus on Smith. They continue to talk and laugh with each other. They embrace each other. Lean into each other. They are too enthralled with each other to only focus on the one taking the photograph. In this moment, we see Black community in action. A whole world is engaging and building in this room.