Department of Music News

The School of Media & Communication will host Steve Jessmore and an exhibit of his award-winning work Birds Doing Stuff from March 4 to April 18 in the Jody Richards Hall Gallery on the campus of Western Kentucky University.

An opening reception will begin at 6 p.m. March 4 in the Jody Richards Hall Atrium followed by a presentation of his work at 7 p.m. in Jody Richards Hall Auditorium. Parking is available in the Chestnut Street South Lot.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday. (Note: The gallery is closed when WKU is closed.)

Jessmore’s project aims at showcasing the beauty and fragility of a tiny slice of Torch River, located in northwest Michigan, which also happens to be the photographer’s front yard. What’s at stake for this river, as for many other rivers that are lake tributaries, is the symbiotic relationship between an ecosystem and its human stewards.

Following his community roots as a photojournalist, Jessmore has captured moments of wildlife nearly entirely in Michigan. He has photographed primarily near his Grand Rapids home and at their cottage on the Torch River. He believes there’s so much around him that he doesn’t need to chase the unusual to find satisfaction. “I love to create art in dynamic situations which feature wildlife moments in the communities around me,” he said.

"I approach birds with the same ethics I’ve practiced in my photojournalism. I don’t make them fly, bait them or try to intrude on their lives, but rather let them be themselves. I am the casual observer creating images and making art."

For more, visit https://wkupj.com/event/birdsdoingstuff/

Contact: Tim Broekema, (270) 745-3005