Tuscaloosa resident Jim Morris has been a photographer all his life. When he was a child, a friend bought a $9 photo enlarger and the pair began developing black and white photos in their closets.
“I just photographed when I had the chance,” Morris said.
Similarly, Michael Burkhalter, also a Tuscaloosa resident, grew up photographing his surroundings.
“Like many folks of my generation, I grew up in a family when photography for home use was just getting big and my parents bought a camera and we took photos of everything,” Burkhalter said.
Now, both men will have their work on display in the eleventh annual Double Exposure Juried Photography Exhibition at the Bama Theatre. The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa is presenting the exhibition from Jan. 21 to Feb. 14 in various spaces at the theatre. The contest draws photographers from all over Alabama, including Birmingham, Montgomery and Auburn.
The adult division features many local artists as well as photographers. The junior division, open to ages twelve to 17, gives younger artists the opportunity to have their work shown in a public exhibition as well as put in the running for Best of Show and four other cash prizes.
“Offering a junior division is an excellent introduction for young people,” said Margaret Gluhman, one of the photographers showing in the adult division. Gluhman is also the gallery director at the Auburn Arts Association and the Jan Dempsey Arts Center.
Burkhalter, an engineer by trade, noted the opportunity allows young artists to be a part of a “globally competitive economy.”
“As young people participate in the arts and humanities, they gain critical thinking skills which, in turn, spurs more creative thinking,” he said.
Morris agrees that photography is an important way that an artist can communicate with his or her audience.
“If you can find an image that speaks to you, maybe it will speak to someone else,” Morris said.
Through their photographs, each artist contributes to the growth of culture in his or her own backyard. Because the exhibition is open exclusively to Alabama residents, it gives Alabamians of all ages on opportunity to showcase their work.
“I believe photography is part of a larger liberal arts experience in our society. I believe each citizen maximizes his or her potential for a full and happy life when they participate in the arts,” Burkhalter said.
