Our World Burning Photo Exhibition

The Thomas Fire burns in the Los Padres National Forest, near Ojai, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2017. A group of closely knit photojournalists find safety in numbers as they work together to document some of California’s largest and most dangerous fires. Photo by Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times

 

As deadly wildfires globally increase in number and severity, residents of fire-prone areas are finding themselves on the frontline of these historic and potential climate-changing events. This exhibition of over 50 images and a documentary film from recent California fire seasons, come together in this body of work from nine critically-acclaimed photojournalists and explores the ramifications these fires can have and reveal the pain, suffering and all-encompassing loss the victims endure.

 

 

---

EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION AND REMARKS

Tuesday, September 24

School of Media Gallery

1665 Normal Street, Bowling Green, KY

Jody Richards Hall on the campus of WKU

6:30 – 7:30 pm

 

---

 

Opening remarks from Dr. Albert Meier, PHD

Biology Department, WKU

 

Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the community

Parking available in the Chestnut St. Lot South for opening reception

 

---

School of Media Gallery  Hours

M-W 9am – 9pm

Th–F 9am – 5pm

Sunday 3pm – 9pm

Free parking after 4:30 M-F in the Chestnut St. Lot South / Closed Oct. 10, 11 and 13 for fall break

 

---

 

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS

 

Photographer Justin Sullivan is seen here seeking a low angle while covering the Camp Fire of 2018. “Being with a group that is well trained and understands how to navigate these dangerous fires is so important to me,” Sullivan says. “Being in a car with someone when you’re driving down roads that have fire on both sides with trees and power lines falling all around is so much better than trying to navigate it on your own.” Photo by Noah Berger.

 

Freelance photographer Noah Berger has spent 24 years covering the San Francisco Bay Area for editorial, corporate and government clients. He works for national and international news outlets including the Associated Press, Reuters, San Francisco Chronicle and LA Times. On the corporate side, Noah covers transportation and infrastructure for government agencies and works often with health care organizations. A native of New York, Noah lives in Alameda – an island across the bay from San Francisco – with his wife and 9-year-old son.

---

Renée C. Byer is a catalyst for change. She is an award-winning documentary photojournalist and Emmy nominated multimedia field producer best known for her in-depth work focusing on the disadvantaged and those who otherwise would not be heard. Her ability to produce photographs with profound emotional resonance and sensitivity earned her the Pulitzer Prize for feature photography in 2007 and dozens of national and international honors, including the World Understanding Award from Pictures of the Year International, and Pulitzer Finalist in 2013.

Known for her ability to translate stark statistics into images that connect us to our humanity, she has traveled throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, covering some of the most important issues of our time. Byer’s stories have deepened our understanding of the environment, climate change, extreme poverty, genetically modified food, healthcare, women at war, domestic violence, and the drought and economic crisis in California.

This staged reading (and singing!) of a new musical takes a nostalgic look back at a small town “that time forgot.”  The town’s inhabitants grapple with growing pains after a big city columnist accidentally makes it famous by celebrating its quaintness in the 1920s.  Based on true events.

Free Admission, Donations Accepted

Cost: $45 Student | $55 Guest 

Depart: Saturday, October 26 @ 8:00 am 

Return: Sunday, October 27 @ 5:00 pm 

Drive time: 3. 5 hours 

Pre-trip meeting: Tuesday, October 22 @ 8:00 PM 

Included: Official Orienteering map, compass, gear, camping permits & campfire 

Learn some cool skills that you can put to practice! Learn how to navigate yourself around to different points using only a map and a compass. The course includes control markers allowing you to verify your location as you go. Trip Leaders will give instructions on how to use your map, and compass to navigate this course. Hoosier National Forest is home to 266 miles of hiking trails, with sandstone cliffs, seasonal waterfalls, Hemlock trees, and rare wintergreen plants. With about a 3-hour drive to the forest, feel free to pack your homework or a book for the ride! ORAC will provide any tents, sleeping bags, or other equipment you might require, except for food and your clothes. All skill levels are welcome! 

Tentative Trip Itinerary

Day 1: 

1. Drive to Story, IN 
2. Pick up maps 
3. Head to campsite to set up basecamp 
4. Map & Compass lesson 
5. Try out the orienteering course 
6. Relax by the campfire