Though the weather outside was less than delightful for the preview of the juried photography exhibition, March 18, inside the James A. Michener Art Museum’s Beans Gallery there was a pleasant and warm atmosphere in tune with the presentation of “Essential Work 2020: A Community Portrait.”
Slated to be on view through July 11, the show features 25 images taken by residents from local communities organized by Laura Turner Igoe, Ph.D., chief curator, Michener Art Museum, and supported by Jim and Valerie McKinney.
As the United States was confronted with the coronavirus pandemic, racial injustice, political protest and a heated presidential election, 2020 will be long remembered as a year of upheaval and uncertainty. During these challenging times, the creation and sharing of images has raised awareness, communicated information, spread hope and strengthened connections.
With the outbreak of COVID-19 and lockdowns about one year ago, many recognized that we were living through extraordinary times and set out to document what we were experiencing. This exhibition seeks to identify how different people interpret what work is essential for our health and well being and a more equitable future.
“A global pandemic presents the opportunity to look at the world differently, to examine and decide what work is essential for life,” said the Michener’s Executive Director Kate Quinn. “I am impressed with the images chosen by the jurors, which tell very human stories of connection, of loss, and of resilience.”
Last fall community members were invited to submit photographs that capture the many meanings of “essential work” for inclusion in the exhibition.
A panel of judges, which included Ruben Christie, former vice president, African American Museum of Bucks County; Igoe and Marlene Pray, community organizer and director/founder, Planned Parenthood’s Rainbow Room, selected images that range in subject matter from hospital scenes to at home learning environments.
Photo editors from The Philadelphia Inquirer selected the top three images in the exhibition. Winners were announced March 18. This community portrait, along with stories from the photographers, is on display in the Beans Gallery at the Michener through July 11.
With over 200 entries, top three entries chosen were: “Tenderness in 2020,” by Shawn Reid of Philadelphia; “Earnest Plea,” by Jonathan Bullock of Ambler, and “The Student,” by Henry Rowan of Buckingham.
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