“It’s a great exhibit,” said Robert Powell, founder and director of the Portfolio Gallery and Education Center. “Simple, but classy.”
There was no shortage of conversation pieces among the dozens of photos that ranged from photojournalism at its finest to historic celeb photo ops, thanks to the work of some of the most renowned African-American photographers in the area.
“I remember when I took that one,” Maurice Meredith said to fellow photographer Delores Stith-Rutlin while talking about his photo of recently deceased civil rights icon Dorothy Height in one of her signature hats. He also had a picture that he snapped of Nelson Mandela.
The benefit raised money for the Salvation Army’s Haiti relief efforts, while also raising awareness of local talent by showcasing the work of photographers and photojournalists Roscoe Crenshaw, Maurice Meredith, Wiley Price, Marilyn Robinson, Anita Santiago and Delores Stith-Rutlin.
“That doesn’t event look like a photograph – it looks like a print of a painting,” a guest said of an intricately illuminated photo Wiley Price took of two Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performers.
It was interesting to see the story told by Price’s photojournalism for The American without the accompanying articles – especially his photos that showed the overwhelming support Barack Obama received as he came to St. Louis on his campaign trail for the presidency.
But there was more to the photos displayed than the “who’s who” element.
Plenty of the haunting faces on the photos will probably remain anonymous, but they manage to tell their stories with precision – and without saying a word.
One of the most striking is Delores Stith-Rutlin’s “All dressed up and can’t go anywhere.” The photo illustrates a barefoot toddler in a stunning dress trapped behind the steel bars of her front porch.
Originally planned for only one evening, Portraits was left up for six weeks and will be around for another two days. The exhibit closes on Saturday, August 7 with a closing reception at Portfolio Gallery at 7 p.m.
“What compelled me to do it was the response to it,” Powell said. “And I thought, ‘Why not let others see these wonderful photos by some of St. Louis’ finest photographers’ – and that was it.”
After 21 years, Portfolio is still going, and successes such as Portraits are what motivate Powell to push through towards his purpose of connecting the community with the arts.
“We were so excited about it that we want to make it an annual event and will be seeking to identify Haitian artists,” Powell said.
“When they come to see it on Saturday, expect a travel throughout St. Louis and the world with images that will compel them to visit the places that the photos capture – and ones they will want to have in their collection.”
The closing reception for Portraits will take place on Saturday, August 7 from 7-9 p.m. at Portfolio Gallery and Educational Center, 3514 Delmar Blvd. For more information, e-mail: portfolioartgallery@att.net or visit www.portfoliogallerystl.org