RALEIGH – A fresh look at people and places in North Carolina are found in the “Telling Our Stories” Photography Exhibit which opens March 2 at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield. The best among North Carolina’s professional and amateur photographers are showcased in a traveling exhibit organized by the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources on tour through December 2009. In addition to works by contemporary professional and amateur photographers, historic photographs from the State Archives are touring for the first time.
In a collaboration, the top amateur winners of the Our State Magazine 2008 photography contest, and works by 21 invited professional artists selected by a panel convened by the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, are on the tour. There are color and black and white images that show the state’s mountains to the coast, as well as some distant lands. Coordinated by the State Library of North Carolina, the exhibit will travel to 33 libraries statewide on an eastern and western route.
Area photographers included in the exhibit are Our State winner Guy Fortier, with Hummingbird Hovering; and professionals Paul Dagys of Cary with Wemen, and Tom Braswell of Wilson with art photo 1. Among area images from the State Archives are the State Capitol from the 1880s, and Gov. Clyde Hoey meeting with contralto Marion Anderson in 1940. Learn more at www.ourstate.com, Telling Our Stories Photo Exhibit and www.pauldagys.com.
The exhibit has been popular in earlier stops. Among comments in New Hanover County were, “Wonderful photos, I enjoyed each one!” “Super. I am a photographer.” “Nice art show. My 6-year-old son and I enjoyed it.” Patrons in Hoke County wrote, “I enjoyed this exhibit! One must see it more than once,” and “OK! Today I get my camera out!”
For information from the Johnston County Library call (919) 934-8146. For information on the tour call (919) 807-7389. The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources administers the State Archives and the State Library and is the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture, with information 24/7 at www.ncculture.com.