Piedmont Arts will hold an opening reception in honor of the museum’s new exhibits on Friday, March 25, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the museum.
Photograph by Lauren Pond (Ohio), detail, from Looking at Appalachia.
Among the new exhibits is “Looking at Appalachia,” which was created to rectify the many misconceptions about the Appalachian people that widely took root in the minds of Americans in the early 20th century. In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson declared a war on poverty in the United States and nowhere was this war more photographed than Appalachia. Many of the War on Poverty photographs, whether intentional or not, became a visual definition of Appalachia. These images have often drawn from the poorest areas and people to gain support for the intended cause, but unjustly came to represent the entirety of the region while simultaneously perpetuating stereotypes. In an attempt to explore the diversity of Appalachia and establish a visual counter point, this project looks at Appalachia fifty years after the declaration of the War on Poverty. Drawing from a diverse population of photographers within the region, this new crowdsourced image archive serves as a reference that is defined by its people as opposed to political legislation.
Richard Joyce, “Blue Pumpkins,” from “No Limits: Brain Injury.”
This project is designed and directed by Roger May and consists of 64 photographs made by 45 photographers, including: Nathan Armes, Sandy Berry, Josh Birnbaum, Sarah Boal, Rachel Boillot, Matthew Brown, Paul Chambers, Ashleigh Coleman, Rob Culpepper, Cameron Davidson, Ed DeWitt, Tiffany Dodd, George Etheredge, Annelise Ferry, Michelle Frankfurter, Wes Frazer, Amanda Greene, Celia Hamby, Justin Hamel, Joy Hart, Pat Jarrett, Mark Johnson, John Kelso, Nate Larson, Zane Logan, William Major, Pete Marovich, Roger May, Michaela Miller, Lou Murrey, Celina Odeh, Pat Owens, Lauren Pond, Jared Ragland, Cris Ritchie, Laura Saunders, Dennis Savage, Martin Seelig, Stephanie Strasburg, Kristian Thacker, David Torke, Pang Tubhirun, Forest Walingford, Andrew Wertz, and Meg Wilson.
Moths are the shamans of the night forest, hidden until we seek them. In “Out of the Darkness,” Deborah Davis brings to light the true character of these nocturnal creatures in paintings that are at once expansive and intimate. Capturing in grand scale the intricate patterns and colors of moths, which are rarely observed in casual encounters at the porch light, Davis lifts the veil of mystery surrounding these nighttime visitors.
“No Limits: Brain Injury” by Richard Joyce will be on display in the Lynwood Artists Gallery.
The opening reception is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and light refreshments will be served. RSVP required by March 22 to (276) 632-3221 or online at PiedmontArts.org.
The exhibits will be on display March 26 – May 7, 2022. Exhibit admission is always free.
Ann Cardwell, Jerri and Joe DeVault, Suzan and Bill Kirby, Anne and Gene Madonia, Susan and Bill Moore, Susan and David Morris, Betty Lou and Ron Pigg, and Lynwood Artists are sponsoring the exhibits and the reception.
Learn more at PiedmontArts.org.