January 7, 2015 – Photographer Jim Gavenus will showcase a variety of photos documenting the people in the front lines of the Civil Rights movement during a free public exhibition, titled “Marchers of the Movement,” from Jan. 12-Feb. 26 in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College. 

“This went beyond a project and became a life changing experience,” said Gavenus. “It has consumed me as a storyteller, photographer and individual. Knowing these people and what they went through, I feel obligated to tell their story. People need to know.”

Gavenus will discuss his photographs and stories of the Civil Rights Movement foot soldiers from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, in the Widmann Gallery in the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, located between North Franklin and North Main streets. The meet-the-artist reception includes a question and answer session.

Gavenus is an internationally recognized documentary photographer. He has more than 50 images documenting the history of The Civil Rights Movement on display at The National Voting Rights Museum, Selma, Alabama. His projects focusing on the human condition, social injustice, and civil rights have won him numerous awards, including the Gordon Parks Documentary Photographer of the Year Award. 

He has worked with more than 30 Hall of Fame musicians and his work is featured in the North Carolina Bluegrass Hall of Fame. His work appears for Sony Music, Columbia Records, Lost Highway Records, Merlefest, FarmAid and numerous publications, including “Rolling Stone.”

Gavenus lives in Pennsylvania, teaches photography, lectures, exhibits and works throughout the United States, including the Southeast Museum of Photography, The Gordon Parks Center for Culture and Diversity, The Manhattan Gallery, and New York Public Library. He has also exhibited his work locally at the Widmann Gallery, Shulmann Gallery at Luzerne County Community College, Camera Works Gallery, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Arts Youniverse.

The exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery hours: Mon. through Fri., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., as arranged. The Gallery is closed on national holidays and during scheduled breaks throughout the academic year.  

For more information, contact Michelle Leonard, Widmann Gallery Coordinator, at (570) 208-5900, ext. 5328, or visit the Experiencing the Arts Calendar at www.kings.edu

This image by photographer Jim Gavenus was made at the funeral of civil rights advocate Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Gavenus will display numerous photos depicting leaders of the civil rights movement during a public exhibition from Jan. 12-Feb. 26 in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College.

This image by photographer Jim Gavenus was made at the funeral of civil rights advocate Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Gavenus will display numerous photos depicting leaders of the civil rights movement during a public exhibition from Jan. 12-Feb. 26 in the Widmann Gallery at King’s College.