See Photography Exhibition Tintype Time Capsule: Marshall After the Flood at Weizenblatt Gallery in Mars Hill

South Main Street, Marshall. Sarah Jones Decker, artist

Sarah Jones Decker. Photo by Lauren Rutton

When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina final fall, resourceful residents discovered all method of how to assist their neighbors. Sarah Jones Decker, a photographer, author and natural farmer who lives in Marshall, put a newly acquired talent into apply as a method of witnessing the storm’s influence and telling tales about survivors in her neighborhood. Beginning Wednesday, October 1, Weizenblatt Gallery, at Mars Hill University (MHU), presents a solo exhibition of Decker’s pictures titled Tintype Time Capsule: Marshall After the Flood. A free opening reception will likely be held on the gallery on Friday, October 3, from 5-8 p.m., and the exhibition runs via Friday, October 31.

The venture represents skilled development for Decker in addition to a long-lasting historic contribution to her neighborhood. “To witness history unfolding before my eyes, to make photographic magic on the streets of my town—it’s an experience I will carry with me forever,” she says. “What an incredible privilege it’s been to share this process with the people of Marshall, creating one-of-a-kind, analog treasures that stand as symbols of our collective strength.”

Johnny. Sarah Jones Decker, artist

Not solely was Decker working with a brand new course of she had simply delved into—moist plate, tintype collodion pictures—however she additionally had the realm’s devastation to navigate and the need of making a cell darkroom behind her Subaru. “I started doing darkroom photography 30 years ago in high school, but had only started working with wet plate collodion four months before the flood,” she says. “I took a workshop to continue my personal education and had the plan to practice for a year and to then, hopefully, shoot the Mermaid Parade in Marshall. I never expected to build a darkroom in my car and work on this intensely personal project day in and day out for months.”

Joel. Sarah Jones Decker, artist

The course of, popularized throughout the Civil War, includes producing tintypes by pouring collodion onto a skinny sheet of blackened steel which is then immersed in silver nitrate to make it mild delicate and capable of produce a picture. “The final step—fixing the plate—allows the subject to witness the image develop in full daylight,” Decker says. “It’s more than just a photograph; it’s an experience. On multiple occasions, my subjects and I have huddled around the tray, watching the image emerge, tears welling as the photograph came to life. It’s an emotional process to share—one that connects us not just through the medium, but through our shared humanity.”

Subjects for the venture included Marshall’s enterprise house owners, artists, musicians, makers, employees and multi-generational locals. Most photos within the solo exhibition will likely be on the market in addition to for viewing, with raffle alternatives to profit the Madison County Arts Council.

Nanostead. Sarah Jones Decker, artist

“We’re very excited about showing Sarah’s work in Weizenblatt Gallery,” says gallery director Skip Rohde. “I became familiar with her work several years ago when she was a photography instructor at MHU. What she’s done in the aftermath of Helene has been incredibly powerful. As a Marshall resident and someone directly affected by the storm, she has brought an intense personal connection to her photography and storytelling. It’s incredibly powerful.”

The moist plate collodion course of, Decker says, encourages intention, a slower tempo and a belief within the course of. “The tintype technique, with its historical roots, is undeniably magical,” she says. “Embracing this challenging medium, with all its imperfections, humbled me and helped me discover my creative voice. This project has been a journey of both artistic discovery and personal healing—not just for me but for the mountain community I love so much.”

Mobile darkroom. Sarah Jones Decker, artist

Decker says that her farm and residential in Marshall have been spared injury from the storm, however what she noticed throughout her resembled a struggle zone. “It has been an honor of my career to produce this work and share these moments with Marshall,” she says. “To have a show a year later felt forever in the future, and yet here we are. I hope that folks can come to see these one-of-a-kind moments of this chapter of Marshall’s history.”

Weizenblatt Gallery is positioned on the campus of Mars Hill University within the Moore Fine Arts Building at 79 Cascade Street, Mars Hill. Hours are Monday via Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn extra at mhu.edu. Follow Sarah Jones Decker’s work on Instagram @sarahjonesdecker.