SFA to open photography exhibition of historical Texas churches
November 16, 2009
"Harper Church," a platinum/palladium print by Matthew Magruder, is one of 30 photographs included in "The Texas Church Photography Project," which the SFA School of Art will open at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
NACOGOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Art will open "The Texas Church Photography Project" at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the Reavley Gallery of The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
The show consists of 30 photographs taken by Mike Castles and Matthew Magruder as part of a larger project undertaken with three other photographers to create a photographic record of 19th and early 20th century community churches in Texas.
The project was the subject of one of the segments of "Texas Country Reporter" in May 2007. The seven-minute report will be screened at the Nacogdoches opening at about 7 p.m.
The exhibition will also include a carved altarpiece by artisan John Sievers along with his woodworking tools. These unique artifacts will be on loan from the Witte Museum in San Antonio.
"'The Texas Church Photography Project' is a special exhibition to see this holiday season," said Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries. "This exhibition celebrates the state's liturgical heritage with finely crafted photographs and handcrafted architectural elements. It is something everyone will enjoy."
"The Texas Church Photography Project," which will run through Saturday, Jan. 23, is sponsored in part by SFA Friends of the Visual Arts and Nacogdoches Junior Forum.
For more information on the project, visit www.texaschurchproj.com.
The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. Regular gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The center will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 24, through Saturday, Nov. 28, for Thanksgiving.
For more information, please call (936) 468-1131.