BRATTLEBORO — As a part of its fiftieth Anniversary celebration, River Gallery School of Art presents “Shared Histories: Bob George Photographs Through the Decades,” a retrospective exhibition spanning 4 many years of life in Brattleboro.
This physique of labor options pictures from the Eighties onward that supply a report of life in Brattleboro. A well-known determine in town’s streets, digicam in hand, George has quietly recorded the folks, locations, and moments that form group life. His pictures seize snowstorms that introduced Main Street to a halt, altering storefronts and landmarks, native occasions, companies opening and shutting, buildings being constructed, renovated and demolished, and generations of people that have gathered downtown over time.
A longtime Brattleboro resident, George has witnessed the city evolve in each refined and dramatic methods, whereas additionally revealing the enduring qualities of group: the friendships, curiosity, humor and shared experiences that join us throughout time. The River Gallery School says his pictures have a good time the on a regular basis and encourage us to look extra carefully on the folks and locations round us. Together, these photographs create a collective portrait of our city: regularly altering, but remarkably acquainted.
Particularly transferring are George’s pictures of individuals. These photographs seize residents as they collect, socialize, come of age, work, have a good time and inhabit Brattleboro via the many years.
Many of these pictured have since handed away, moved elsewhere or constructed lives removed from Vermont. Yet viewers will discover a lot that is still acquainted. The style, gestures, expressions and quiet moments captured in these pictures reveal the timeless expertise of discovering one’s place in a group.
“For those connected to River Gallery School, George has long been a steady presence,” the college says within the announcment. “Over the years, he has documented not only the life of Brattleboro but also the life of River Gallery School, capturing students and teaching artists as well as the attention, wonder, and creative spark nurtured in the studios. In many ways, his photographs have become part of River Gallery School’s own visual history, preserving elusive moments of artistic discovery and human connection.”
This exhibition provides a chance for longtime residents to revisit Brattleboro’s latest historical past via the eyes of a devoted observer. Visitors might acknowledge former classmates, neighbors, members of the family, beloved native landmarks and storefronts which have modified over time. Current enterprise house owners might even uncover historic pictures of the very buildings they occupy right now, offering a singular glimpse into the evolving story of downtown Brattleboro.
In honor of River Gallery School’s fiftieth Anniversary, each exhibited print can be out there for buy for $50. George is donating all proceeds to assist River Gallery School’s programming.
The exhibition is on view in Gallery 34 of the River Gallery School of Art, open Monday via Friday, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. The Gallery Walk Reception will happen Aug. 7 from 5 to eight p.m.