Photography Exhibits Highlight Annual Conference

Photo Submitted

“Black in White America, Maryland” c. 1963, by Leonard Freed (1929 – 2006). © The Estate of Leonard Freed, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York, used by permission.

A total of six photography exhibits will be on display in northwest Arkansas in conjunction with the annual conference of the south central region Society for Photographic Education. The conference, "Spirits of the Times," is being hosted by the University of Arkansas art department, Oct. 7-9.

The conference sessions will be held at the University of Arkansas Global Campus, on the Fayetteville square, and in the Fine Arts Center, on the main University of Arkansas campus. Registration is required for conference programming. Registration and additional information can be found on the conference website. The deadline for early registration is Sept. 17.

The conference will bring photography educators, students and professionals from a six-state region to Fayetteville for two days of presentations and lectures.

This year's Honored Educator is Sonja Rieger from the University of Alabama.

The featured speaker at the conference will be internationally renowned documentary photographer Danny Lyon. Lyon's keynote address will be held on Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Center. Seating is limited.

An exhibition of Danny Lyon's photographs on motorcycle culture, "The Bikeriders," will be on display at Crystal Bridges at the Massey in Bentonville from Sept. 9 to Oct. 31. Crystal Bridges at the Massey is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

"Black in White America," photographs by Leonard Freed, curated by the Bruce Silverstein Gallery in New York City, will be the featured exhibition in the university's Fine Arts Center gallery. "Black in White America" is a collection of photos that movingly document the African American struggle for self definition in mid-20th century America. Leonard Freed (1929-2006) was a member of the Magnum photo agency. "Black in White America" will be on exhibit Oct. 6-29. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

"Arkansas Photography Educators," an exhibit featuring current work by 12 faculty members from universities and colleges in Arkansas, will be on display at the sUgAR Gallery in Bentonville from Sept. 30 to Oct. 23 with an opening reception scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9, from 4:30 to 7:30. Featured artists include Beverly Buys, Gary Cawood, Victor Chalfant, Neal Holland, Joanne Jones, Margaret LeJuene, Maxine Payne, Michael Peven, Donna Pinckley, Carey Roberson, Curtis Steele and Marcia Wallace.

Other photography exhibits on display in conjunction with the conference include exhibits at the Fayetteville Underground galleries, on the Fayetteville square, Oct. 6-30. The Revolver Gallery will feature the work of SCSPE members, photographic educators and professionals, and The Hive, will feature work by photography students from universities and colleges in Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. An opening reception will be held on "First Thursday" Oct. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Fayetteville Underground is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also during the month of October, the work of University of Arkansas photography students will be on display in the hallway cases in the Fine Arts Center.