‘Faces of Asheville’ photo documentary on display at AB-Tech through April 20

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Press release here: 

The Faces of Asheville: A Community Photo Documentary, exhibits at AB-Tech’s Holly Library March 7 – April 20, 2011.  The exhibit, which first opened in June of 2009 at the Satellite Gallery, was completed from 2007-2009 displaying the creative portraits of almost 350 Ashevillians.  The exhibit at AB-Tech presents the process of the project including historical data collected through the documentary process, as well as the original images.  The photographer, Jenny Bowen, received the accolade of Mountain Xpress’ Best Artist in 2009 for the Faces of Asheville exhibit. 

In July 2007 when Bowen first set out to task with the project, her home studio was robbed and the project destroyed.  Thanks to community support and help from the organizations Arts2People, the Asheville Area Arts Council, the North Carolina Arts Council, and with the help of many key volunteers and dedicated assistants the project was able to remount & continue. 

During the process of capturing the portraits, Bowen collected letters from participants that explained why they called Asheville their home and what community issues resonated most with them.  Some of these letters will be on display with the portraits, as well other mementos of the project.

The exhibit at AB-Tech’s Holly Library will be from March 7 – April 20, with an exhibit reception on March 23 from 10am-Noon, during which there will be an opportunity for a Q&A session with the artist and some former portrait participants.