Migrant community photo exhibit opens March 4 with guest authors

Reed Library will host a photographic exhibit from March 4 to 28 titled, “Growing Season: The Life of a Migrant Community.” The images and stories detail the lives of roughly 160 Mexican and Mexican-American workers on a farm in Hartville, Ohio, and their families, in a community of roughly 300 that is established on the perimeter of the farm fields.

To help kickoff the exhibit, on Friday, March 4, authors Gary Harwood and David Hassler will share their experiences documenting this community including the importance of access and acceptance, ethics, the storytelling process and the collaboration between photographer (Harwood) and writer (Hassler).

Also, the authors will discuss the importance of narrative work as an educational tool and will share examples of the success of “Growing Season” in schools and communities.

The duo will give two guest lectures discussing issues of photography, visual storytelling, sociology, immigration, economics and more.

Classes will be given at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in S104 of the Williams Center.  Later that day, a lecture will be given at 6:30 p.m. in 105 Fenton Hall, followed by a viewing and reception at Reed Library.

All events are free and open to the public.

“'Growing Season’ gives a voice to people unseen and misunderstood,” says Hassler. “We are showing the faces of those involved in the political debate over immigration laws, which everyone knows has been going on for years. There will be real photos on display in the library and we really hope everyone gets a chance to look and take it all in. It’s powerful when you see how we are all human and we share many dreams and traditions. ‘Growing Season’ has been on the rise in schools and communities so we’re pleased to share this with Fredonia.”

The book has received three honors since being released in 2006. In 2007, it was awarded Carter G. Woodson Honor Award from the National Council for the Social Studies. It was selected as one of seven winners for the Ohioana Book Award for 2007. It was also featured in News Photographer, a monthly magazine of the National Press Photographers Association.

To learn more about the book, visit www.growingseason.net.

To learn more about the photo exhibit or classes on campus, contact Professor Carmen Rivera, chair of the Modern Languages and Literature department, at carmen.rivera@fredonia.edu or 716-673-3380.