Beginning October 17, the Mills Gallery at Central College will host work by John Noltner, an award-winning author and photographer. The exhibit, titled “A Peace of My Mind,” will feature photographs of ordinary people with insightful views.
The project is meant for art lovers to share their own views on peace and learn what the concept means for others. Treva Reimer, director of the Mills Gallery, described the importance of having Noltner’s work on campus. “This seems an important topic right now when many countries are struggling with violence and dissension, including our own,” she said. “Civil discourse seems to have almost disappeared.”
The exhibit includes black-and-white portraits of ordinary people, coupled with digital recordings of each person’s words on the subject of peace. “The goal is to create a collection of thoughts on peace from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and to use that collection of interviews to foster a larger public conversation on the subject,” Noltner explained in his artist statement.
“I think our curiosity about others and our enjoyment of stories will help us connect with the work and open up our thinking about this topic. Hopefully, the work will open us up to some good conversations with each other,” Reimer said.
In addition to displaying his work on campus, Noltner will be in residence from Oct. 23-26 and will host a convocation on Oct. 25 in Douwstra Auditorium at 11 a.m. and an artist reception in the gallery at 5 p.m.
His work can be seen during gallery hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
