You may remember artist Ashley Minner's work from the HomeCooked Stories events that took place last fall. The Light Gallery is excited to present Exquisite Lumbees, a collaboration between Ashley Minner, photographer Sean Scheidt, and participating Lumbee community members, showcasing Ashley Minner's Master of Fine Arts in Community Arts Thesis work. The project consists of photo portraits of members of Baltimore's Lumbee Native American community.
"The men and women who were asked to participate in this project are all part of what I consider to be 'my generation.' We are all close in age. Many of us grew up together and despite the different paths we have chosen for ourselves in life, we are still close and see each other regularly to this day. Those who agreed to visit the photography studio were encouraged to wear what they liked best. We did several sessions with different groups of people. Each time, the entire group would stand behind the camera along with the photographer to encourage and coach the person whose portrait was being taken. Each person was given the opportunity to choose the photograph they felt best represented them. Text incorporated into the portraits, written by us, gives viewers a glimpse into our hopes for one another and the depths of ourselves. "The Exquisite Lumbee" book exists to demonstrate that, although we as a people run the gamut of skin colors, hair colors and hair textures, we do have a distinctive quality, character, and style. We recognize each other. We are exquisite." -Ashley Minner
"Come see our community through US. If you didn't know that we were here, this is an excellent opportunity to become acquainted."
Funded by the MICA Franz-Merrick Community Arts Partnership Special Projects Fund and the MICA Office of Student Affairs Community Service Fund
We hope you'll join us for the opening this Friday, May 6, from 7 - 9pm at 1015 N. Charles Street!
The show will remain up until May 18.
