Exhibit Showcasing Photography by Walker Evans

April 29, 2019

LaGuardia Community College Opens Exhibit of Photography by Walker Evans—One Of 20th Century’s Most Influential Artists

“Walker Evans Lyric Documentary” Exhibit at LaGuardia Gallery of Photographic Arts Open All Summer—Free & Available to Public during College Hours—Details Below

Exhibit Showcasing Photography by Walker Evans

LaGuardia Community College announces the opening of the “Walker Evans Lyric Documentary” exhibit at the LaGuardia Gallery of Photographic Arts.

This exhibit of archival pigment prints celebrates Walker Evans’ (1903-1975) work as a broad seminal influence on photography and on the arts in general. The Metropolitan Museum of Art describes Evans as “one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. His elegant, crystal-clear photographs and articulate publications have inspired generations of artists…” The International Center of Photography describes him as “one of the leading photographers in the history of American documentary photography.”

Evans’ work has been shown at the Museum of Modern Art. During his career, he received three Guggenheim Fellowships, was an elected member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters, worked as a staff photographer for Time and Fortune, and taught photography at Yale.

“Bringing top caliber examples of art, such as this Walker Evans exhibit, for study and discussion by faculty and students, is an important piece of our commercial photography and fine art programs,” said Scott Sternbach, director of the Commercial Photography Program. “Evans’ approach to large format photography has been a huge influence on my work, so it’s an honor to be able to showcase his work in our gallery.”

Evans’ connection to LaGuardia comes through the College’s Fine Art and Commercial Photography faculty who studied at the Yale School of Art: Hugo Fernandez and Liena Vayzman. As well, several LaGuardia graduates have transferred into the highly-selective Yale School of Arts Photography Program, including Hrvoje Slovenc and Allison Minto.

The “Walker Evans Lyric Documentary” exhibit was designed by John T. Hill, executor of his estate.

“This exhibit presents a comprehensive account of Walker Evans’ entire career,” said Mr. Hill. “A comprehensive Evans’s exhibit is virtually impossible when limited to vintage material (printed by the photographer near the time of the photographs’ making). Counter to the accepted tradition, Evans was not about the precious fine print, but about the presentation of his documentation given shape as a lyric. Here was a signal of a new tradition.”

“For me, the most interesting image in the exhibit is ‘Penny Picture Display, Savannah 1936’,” said Professor Hugo Fernandez. “Evans cut up three original negatives in his possession to make enlargements. The only intact negative is in the Library of Congress, so this is an extremely rare piece to showcase.”

WHAT: “Walker Evans Lyric Documentary” exhibit at the LaGuardia Gallery of Photographic Arts

The show will cover over 500 linear feet of exhibition walls, and will include archival pigment prints, some exceeding 48 inches, with over 200 works, including signs, pictures of Evans and interiors of his home in Old Lyme, Connecticut. 

WHO: Exhibit of Walker Evans’ (1903-1975) archival pigment prints—celebrating his work as a broad seminal influence on photography and all of the arts. The Metropolitan Museum of Art describes Evans as “one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. His elegant, crystal-clear photographs and articulate publications have inspired generations of artists…” The International Center of Photography describes him as “one of the leading photographers in the history of American documentary photography.”

WHERE: LaGuardia Gallery of Photographic Arts, located on the 1st and 3rd floors of the B-Building of LaGuardia Community College. Address is 30-20 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, New York, 11101 

WHEN: Throughout the summer.
Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.


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LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), located in Long Island City, Queens, educates thousands of New Yorkers annually through degree, certificate, and continuing education programs . LaGuardia is a national voice on behalf of community colleges, where half of all U.S. college students study. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his championing the underserved. Since our doors opened in 1971, our programs regularly become national models for pushing boundaries to give people of all backgrounds access to a high quality, affordable college education.


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