Diverse City Photography Exhibit "Lancaster Squared" Shows Faces of Lancaster During Annual Art Walk

The Lancaster Squared series, which is an exploration of diversity, will comprise 100 photographs of Lancaster city residents. Twelve initial portraits will be on exhibit during this year's annual Lancaster Art Walk, beginning Friday April 20 through April 22, and afterwards through May 4.

Lancaster, PA (PRWEB) April 13, 2007 -- The Lancaster City Human Relations Commission and fine art portrait photographer Barbara Kyne have joined forces to present a body of work titled Lancaster Squared.

When completed the Lancaster Squared series, which is an exploration of diversity, will comprise 100 photographs of Lancaster city residents. Twelve initial portraits will be on exhibit at Godfrey Advertising, 40 N. Christian St., Lancaster, during this year's annual Lancaster Art Walk, beginning Friday April 20 through April 22, and afterwards through May 4.

"We believe the photography series is one way we can show and express the diversity and the richness that exists right here in Lancaster city," said Lancaster City Human Relations Commission Chair, Albert Gonzalez.

"No matter what language you speak, looking into the face of another person makes a connection. We're very hopeful that both city residents and those who live outside the city boundaries will want to see this exhibition and learn a little more about who their neighbors really are," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez along with city councilman Nelson Polite, 7th grader Zoe Brown Buckwalter and behavioral healthcare worker Lori Weaver are subjects of the "first four" portraits. Each of them has since chosen two other city residents who will become part of Lancaster Squared. Each new person photographed will in turn choose two more people until 100 photographs are made.

The decision to have city residents choose who will be photographed rather than having the commission or any other group select subjects, is central to the process said portrait photographer Barbara Kyne of Lime Street Studios. "Part of what I hope we help uncover and convey with this body of work is each person's individual humanity and dignity, and the connections that exist between people and across some of the more obvious racial and ethic boundaries. Faces are amazing. They're the way we've recognized and responded to one another since the beginning of time. They're elemental."    

Commenting on the project Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray said, "Lancaster Squared fits perfectly with the mission of the City's Human Relations Commission, to further understanding and relations between the various cultural, racial, ethnic, and economic groups in the city and county."

"With just over 56,000 residents in the city we have a vibrant mix of people from many races and ethnicities, all of whom add a distinct element to life in the city, but many of whom do not know each other or about each others culture. A project like Lancaster Squared is one way to open new lines of communication and it is my hope that we can find a permanent public home for the exhibit once it is completed."

During Art Walk, opening hours at Godfrey Advertising (wheelchair accessible) are Friday April 20, 5-8pm, Saturday April 21, 10 am-6 pm and Sunday April 22, 12-5 pm. Through Friday May 4, opening hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-5 pm, Friday 8:30 am-4 pm.

Editor's note:
Please go to http://www.limestreetstudios.com/photos.html for downloadable photos

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