FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 6, 2011
Contact: Cydney Archie
(662) 329-7119
cja2@muw.edu

`Eudora Welty: Exposures and Reflections’ on display

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- “Eudora Welty: Exposures and Reflections” is being showcased in the Eugenia Summer Gallery at Mississippi University for Women.

The exhibit is a part of the university’s annual Eudora Welty Writer’s Symposium, which is set for Oct. 20-22.

Curated by The Museum in Mobile, Ala., the show features more than 40 photographs taken by alumna Eudora Welty.

“Eudora Welty: Exposure and Reflections leads audiences on a unique journey to another time and another place with 40 of her photographs, her classic prose and a contemporary look into Welty’s life as a writer and Southerner,” according to the Southern Literary Trail website.

In the middle of the Great Depression, Welty worked for the Mississippi office of the Works Progress Administration. As part of her job, she traveled around the entire state to promote and publicize WPA projects and she always took her camera. Consequently, these photographs are a rare and valuable documentation of life throughout Mississippi in the 30s.

Alex Stelioes-Wills, MUW gallery director, said, “Welty was a great photographer. Her work wasn’t average, but proved her true talent as more than just a writer.”

The department has featured Welty’s work only once before in the 90s, according to Stelioes-Wills. When gallery selections are being chosen, the department supports most work by Southern artists, women artists and local artists.

“This is a great exhibition to see if you are a fan of Welty,” he added.

The reception for the exhibit will be Thursday, Oct. 20 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Art and Design Building. The exhibit runs through Oct. 23 and is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.