Contact:
Dan Carpenter
(325) 673-4587
Marketing@thegracemuseum.org

Grace to open exhibit of Katrina photography

Abilene, TX (April 4, 2008) - The Grace Museum is opening a special exhibit April 10 whose focus is the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"Katrina: The Color of Loss" is a series of photographs by Dan Burkholder that focuses on the remnants of homes and public spaces in New Orleans.

"Using an innovative digital photography technology called high dynamic range imaging, in which multiple exposures are artistically blended to bring out details in the shadows and highlights that would be hidden in conventional photographs, Burkholder creates images that resemble paintings in their richness of color and profusion of detail," said Judy Deaton, Curator of Art & Exhibits for The Grace. "The results are a mix of the real and surreal – life interrupted and unexpectedly transformed forever."

A master platinum printer, Burkholder was one of the first fine art photographers to champion digital technology by creating the digital negative in 1992. His methods gave him a way to embrace the unlimited control of Photoshop by producing a negative that could be printed in the classic darkroom to make beautiful handcrafted prints. By sharing his pivotal methods, Dan has become a unique teacher and mentor bridging the worlds of classic photography with the evolving digital era.

A special public opening and artist reception begins at 5:30 p.m. April 10. In addition, Burkholder will be at the opening reception to sell and sign copies of his new book The Color of Loss: An Intimate Portrait of New Orleans After Katrina.

The Grace Museum is also hosting workshop by Burkholder on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. "Dan's Digital Blitz" includes new tips and techniques that will arm photographers with a virtual bandolier of digital "bullets." "In one fun-filled day, you can leap a giant step closer to having the image control you need and want," according to information from Burkholder's web site ( www.danburkholder.com ). "From capture to print, get the stuff real photographers use every day." The workshop cost is $125 for Texas Photographic Society members; $145 for non-members. Call Patricia at 325-673-4587 for more information.

Katrina: The Color of Loss opens April 10 in The Grace's second floor Gallery A, and will be on display until June 28.

The exhibit is generously sponsored by Alice and Bill Wright, and Weatherl and Associates.

The Grace Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday. Admission is free Thursday evening after 5 p.m.

For more information, call 325-673-4587.

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The Grace Museum's exhibitions and educational programs are supported in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, the City of Abilene, Taylor County, and the Downtown Revitalization Program of the Tax Increment Finance District. The Grace Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1909, The Hotel Grace served as a rest stop for railway travelers. The mission-style building was renovated and re-opened in 1992 as The Grace Cultural Center. The Grace Museum , a non-profit organization, now serves as a home to a Children's Museum, History Museum , and Art Museum. At 55,000 sq. ft., The Grace Museum is the 10th largest general museum in Texas . The Grace Museum is the cornerstone of cultural arts and education in West Texas .