This touring exhibition emerges from an ongoing democratic archive that is a celebration of ordinary and extraordinary histories, viewed from the perspective of private individuals and families. From the earliest photographs taken in the 1850s to the advent of the digital era in the early 1990s, these images reveal details about how people lived, worked, and gathered that official historical records may have overlooked.
A Photo Album of Ireland opens September 22, 2021 at Meadows Gallery, in Chan Shun Centennial Library of Southwestern Adventist University.

The touring collection of 120 photographs creates a rich tapestry of images that tells of the triumphs and turmoils in the life of a nation. From quotidian scenes of pastoral picnics, holiday celebrations, and parlor portraits to snapshots documenting the impact of The Troubles in the North; from joyful wedding parties to solemn funerary processions; from the documentation of Irish historical sites by the world-renowned Shackleton family to the unheralded efforts of an anonymous family photographer; A Photo Album of Ireland presents the people’s account of history that is at once personal and powerful.

Students from Southwestern Adventist University Honors Program and English Department selected a representative sample of photographs from the larger collection to present a curated exhibit that reflects the literature, politics, and social life of Ireland in the 20th century. Under the leadership of Dr. Kristin Denslow (Honors Director and Associate Professor of English), Honors students at Southwestern Adventist University participate in a variety of experiential learning activities throughout the school year, including an annual study tour. In 2022, students will travel to Ireland to study the literature and politics of 20th century Ireland with Dr. Renard Doneskey (Professor of English).

This exhibition was organized with support from Culture Ireland’s International Culture Programme to celebrate Ireland 2016. It was curated by the Gallery of Photography, Dublin, and organized by ExhibitsUSA in partnership with Culture Ireland.  

This program is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  

Exhibition: A Photo Album of Ireland
Host Organization: Southwestern Adventist University
Runs: September 22, 2021–October 19, 2021
Gallery Hours: Mon – Thur 8 am – 8 pm;  Fri 8 am – 2 pm; Sun 12 pm – 8 pm
Location: 101 W. Magnolia Street, Keene, TX  76059
Admission: Free
Contact: 817-202-6242 (library main desk), library.swau.edu

About ExhibitsUSA 
This exhibition is toured by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. ExhibitsUSA sends more than twenty-five exhibitions on tour to over 100 small- and mid-sized communities every year. These exhibitions create access to an array of arts and humanities experiences, nurture the understanding of diverse cultures and art forms, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. For more about ExhibitsUSA, email MoreArt@maaa.org or visit www.eusa.org. 

About Mid-America Arts Alliance
Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout our region and beyond. We achieve this primarily through our national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development, and strategic grant making. We are especially committed to enriching the cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful, and accessible arts and culture programs and services. We believe in more art for more people. Additional information about M-AAA is available at www.maaa.org.