University of Louisville celebrates the photographic arts with several exhibitions

UofL's Hite Art Institute and Photographic Archives are presenting major photographic exhibitions this year during the Louisville Photo Biennial Conference.

Gallery X at Schneider Hall Galleries presents “On Fruited Plains” Oct. 1-31 in collaboration with the 2015 Society for Photographic Education’s Midwest Regional Conference in Louisville. The juried exhibition is intended to highlight the environmental and cultural character of the Midwest, with special emphasis on diversity. Work in this exhibition was selected by jury members of SPE’s Multicultural, Women’s and LGBTQ caucuses. “The concept of the ‘visual story’ informed the jurors’ selection,” said Chris Reitz, gallery director. “They are images produced by and through the Midwest—its people, its landscapes, and its histories—and they are images that we are proud to celebrate as part of this year’s Photo Biennial.” Opening reception is 7:30-9:30 p.m., Oct. 1, 2300 S. First Street Walk, Belknap Campus. UofL’s Cressman Center for the Arts also will present an exhibition Oct. 1-31 by the speakers at this year’s SPE Conference. “Throwing Light/Catching Shadows” explores various historic and contemporary photographic practices, from salt prints to high definition video. The exhibition, curated by UofL professors Mitch Eckert and Mary Carothers, focuses on the conference’s central theme: the intersection of public and private spaces. Opening reception is 6-9 p.m., Oct. 2, 100 E. Main St. Lastly, UofL’s Photographic Archive will present “Collecting Shadows – Works by The Calotype Society” Oct. 1-Dec. 18 in the Ekstrom Library. Invented in 1840 by William Henry Fox Talbot, the calotype is one of the earliest photograph processes. By coating cotton writing paper with silver salts, Talbot was able to freeze fleeting images. In 2010, a group of more than 200 enthusiasts formed to share interests in the culture, history and aesthetic qualities of the paper negative. This is the first exhibition featuring the work of the Calotype Society. Irish artist Fionnbharr O Suilleabha also will hold a one-day Calotype workshop on Oct. 4 and a two-day workshop Oct. 10 and 11. Contact Laura Hartford at lhartford@bellarmine.edu to register. Opening reception is 6-8 p.m., Oct. 1, Ekstrom Library, Lower Level, Room 17, Belknap Campus. For Hite exhibition information, contact Chris Reitz, gallery director, at chris.reitz@louisville.edu. For Photographic Archive exhibition information, contact Elizabeth Reilly, curator, at elizabeth.reilly@louisville.edu.