On View in the Stanley Gallery March 8 - May 24, 2015
FREE ADMISSION
Artist Reception
March 15, 2015 from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Artist's Remarks at 2 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION - Donations of Canned Goods are Encouraged
Exploring Photography Session
Local Photographers invited to participate in a group discussion with Pamela Houser
March 17, 2015 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Muscatine Art Center
FREE ADMISSION
Artist Pamela Houser has traveled the United States and finds people experiencing homelessness wherever she goes. These individuals are cold, lonely and hungry. They are "Someone's Family", a brother, sister, parent, child, and they need help. Ms. Houser's hope is that her work will help the viewer find a deeper sense of consciousness and empathy concerning the needs of the homeless. She depicts their lives through the use of black and white photography. Candid or photojournalist photos catch them in their struggle trying to find the most basic necessities. Consistent throughout the work is their obvious lack of food and housing. Artists such as Lewis Hine, Walker Evans, Dorothea Lang and Mary Ellen Mark provide inspiration for Ms. Houser as she works to document homelessness and create social awareness.
Ms. Houser explains, "On recent travels I have met some wonderful people who agreed to collaborate with my project concerning people experiencing homelessness as a way to help create social awareness. I met a middle-aged lady named Patty whose struggle with mental illness led her to the streets, lost to those who loved and tried to help her. Max was a gentleman sleeping on the streets of New York City. Some kind stranger had left him breakfast on his bed of cardboard; how nice of them. A fellow named Ray was on the corner in Seattle asking for money for shelter and food. He explained that he only needed $5 per day to survive; enough for food and a bed in the shelter. I met many of our nations' veterans struggling and experiencing homelessness right in our Nation's capitol."
Ms. Houser invites local photographers to meet with her on Tuesday, March 17th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Muscatine Art Center. Photographers of all experience levels may attend the group discussion and are encouraged to bring examples of their own work.
Visitors to the exhibition, "Someone's Family", are encouraged to drop off canned goods which will be donated to local food pantries. Photographs by Ms. Houser may be purchased with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Muscatine Center for Social Action (MCSA). MCSA staff members are organizing a related exhibit which highlights the experiences of people living in Muscatine as well as the resources available through MCSA. This exhibit will be installed on the second floor of the Stanley Gallery.
Please contact Melanie Alexander, Director, with any questions or concerns at 563-263-8282 or by email at malexander@muscatineiowa.gov.
The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a class brochure.
